![\"Leeds](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_GettyImages-2269937835.jpg\")
<\/p>\nNational focus will be honed on West Ham but Leeds United have a few points to talk about themselves<\/p>\n
Leeds United can conclude their season in a singificant way this weekend(Image: Steve Bardens\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Not so long ago, Sunday\u2019s game was billed as a potential relegation showdown decider. Not so. Leeds United<\/a> have secured their safety quite comfortably in the end and sit 11 points ahead of the bottom three ahead of the final day.<\/p>\n West Ham United, meanwhile, are on the cusp of going down. They need to win and hope Tottenham Hotspur lose to Everton to have any chance of survival. A Spurs draw will not be enough for the Hammers given the wide gap in goal difference and two-point difference.<\/p>\n So that sets up the picture, and Leeds have the opportunity to rain on the parade. For so many years, United have been on the wrong end of nerve-crunching moments and have had to stomach the suffering.<\/p>\n Sunday is a chance to be on the other side for once. Perhaps, for those who have been in the squad long term, this will add a little more inner fire within them. Plus, the chance to get to 50 points is on the line.<\/p>\n Stadium nerves and tactics<\/p>\n Simply, West Ham need to attack. There can be no holding on for a draw or playing reserved. They need to go for the jugular – something they have struggled to do all season.<\/p>\n This might play to Leeds\u2019 advantage, even if Noah Okafor is unavailable<\/a>. United have shown they can be potent on the transition numerous times this season and exploit space when it is afforded to them.<\/p>\n West Ham\u2019s defending against Newcastle United gives a glimpse into how flimsy the Hammers back line can be – though when fighting for your life, levels can rise. But the London Stadium will be on edge.<\/p>\n The longer the hosts are not ahead, the longer tension will rise. Leeds can also play into this. Nerves can seep onto the pitch and into players, and of course what happens at Tottenham will also have an influence in this regard.<\/p>\n Leeds have shown they can hold their nerve when under the cosh this season. Now, they can be the provocateurs.<\/p>\n Final games for some<\/p>\n While Sam Byram, out of contract soon, got his Elland Road farewell against Brighton Sunday, it seems less likely that he will get a final send off at the London Stadium given the context. Even if loanee Facundo Buonanotte has recovered his hamstring issue, it is also unlikely he gets minutes either.<\/p>\n Joel Piroe – expected to leave this summer – might come on from the bench late on but this is not guaranteed. Karl Darlow is out of contract in July but renewal talks are expected and he did not cut a figure that seemed destined to exit last weekend.<\/p>\n