Leeds v West Ham: Team news published at 19:02 BST 24 October
19:02 BST 24 October
Leeds make four changes to the side that started their 2-0 Premier League defeat at Burnley last Saturday.
Lucas Perri starts in goal, while Jaka Bijol, Noah Okafor and Ao Tanaka come in as Karl Darlow, Pascal Struijk, Anton Stach and Jack Harrison drop to the bench.
West Ham make two changes to the team that began their 2-0 loss at home to Brentford on Monday.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka and El Hadji Malick Diouf both start, in place of Kyle Walker-Peters and Mateus Fernandes.
Leeds United v West Ham United: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 08:42 BST 24 October
08:42 BST 24 October
Paul Birch BBC Sport Journalist
Struggling West Ham United travel to Elland Road chasing a first win under new boss Nuno Espirito Santo as they take on a Leeds United side who have managed just one league victory since the opening weekend. BBC Sport takes a look at some of the key themes ahead of their Friday night clash.
While Elland Road is regarded as one of the most hostile grounds to visit in English football, West Ham's players might actually be relived to be playing there given the toxic atmosphere that has enveloped their own London Stadium of late.
The loss to Brentford on Monday saw them register five successive top-flight home defeats for only the second time in their history after previously doing so back in April 1931.
Not only that, but their tally of just four points after eight games (converting results to three points for a win) is the Hammers' joint worst start to a top-flight season along with the 1973-74 and 1988-89 campaigns.
Nuno Espirito Santo's reign has not got off to a great start and he goes into this game having claimed a solitary point from three matches. The last West Ham manager to fail to win any of their first four games in charge was Manuel Pellegrini in September 2018.
They have the anomaly of following up a Monday night match with another fixture under the lights on Friday. The Hammers can at least fall back on an excellent recent record against Leeds. Four wins in their last six league games (D1, L1) against the Yorkshire side is as many as they had managed in their previous 37 encounters.
Image source, BBC Sport
There may not be many more Premier League matches this season that finish 2-0 when the losing side have been as statistically dominant as Leeds United were in defeat to Burnley at Turf Moor.
Leeds were way ahead in almost every attacking metric bar the one that matters, goals. As ever in football, results are all that matter and the Clarets' victory means they are now only a point behind Leeds' tally of eight.
If West Ham win they will also be just a point adrift of Daniel Farke's side and a hat-trick of defeats will make the promising start they made to life back in the Premier League feel like a distant memory. Their expected points tally is 12.8, a full 4.8 more than their actual total, highlighting how they have failed to capitalise on good performances.
After surrendering their 23-match unbeaten run in home league games to Tottenham three weeks ago, the Whites will be keen to establish Elland Road as a fortress again in a game that feels crucial despite it still being October.
Sutton's predictions: Leeds v West Hampublished at 07:58 BST 24 October
07:58 BST 24 October
We know why Nuno Espirito Santo was brought in - to keep West Ham up - but it looks like it is going to be difficult for him.
He is still waiting for his first win after three games as Hammers manager, and his side were quite lucky to only lose 2-0 against Brentford on Monday.
Whenever I watch a team play as poorly as West Ham did then, I wonder how they will ever win a game.
Leeds are not on a great run either, but I still feel like they've been competitive when I've seen them.
Most people would probably go for a draw here - that's what I'm expecting from the readers anyway - but I actually think Leeds might edge this one.
I have a feeling West Ham will score, because Jarrod Bowen is always dangerous, but I don't fancy them to keep a clean sheet even though sorting out their defence is probably Nuno's priority.
Gossip: Hammers in prime position to sign Zirkzeepublished at 07:44 BST 24 October
07:44 BST 24 October
Joshua Zirkzee will ask to leave Manchester United in the January transfer window, with West Ham currently leading the race to sign the 24-year-old forward. (Mirror), external
Zirkzee would prefer to stay in the Premier League as he looks to earn a place in the Netherlands' World Cup squad. (Star), external
Gossip: Hammers may move for Zirkzee on loanpublished at 07:16 BST 23 October
07:16 BST 23 October
West Ham United are keen on 24-year-old Netherlands forward Joshua Zirkzee and could try to sign him on loan from Manchester United in January. (i Paper), external
Nuno on player anxiety, solving 'own problems' and getting best of Paquetapublished at 14:35 BST 22 October
14:35 BST 22 October
Nicola Pearson BBC Sport journalist
West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to the media before Friday's Premier League game against Leeds United at Elland Road (kick-off 20:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Nuno confirmed that Konstantinos Mavropanos is out with injury. The defender will have a scan to "see the real injury that he has", but the Forest boss was unable give a timeframe for his return.
He feels West Ham "still have problems" and were "not good enough" against Brentford: "Concern is that the improvement must come from the players individually. [It is the] responsibility of the players to win their own games, the duels. Then, for sure, as a team we are going to improve."
Nuno added: "It is up to us to connect the fans. It is up to us that the fans go to the stadium and see something they enjoy. It is on our side."
On whether he can sense anxieties in the players at home: "I felt it [anxiety] on the players. They were rushing their decisions. I see them work every day. We have quality and talent to make five-yard passes, but they were not happening. It is up to us to tell the players to play their game, try to ignore [outside noise] and focus on what is happening on the pitch."
When asked whether the squad needs help in the January transfer window, Nuno said: "It is us who is going to solve our problems. Us who is in the building, not us who is outside. We must solve our own problems."
On areas to improve: "We have to improve our players. We need to improve their fitness, tactical awareness - everything. We concede a lot of set-pieces - too many - but we defend them pretty well. We are improving on that but we need to improve on not conceding. Some of them are easy situations we can solve."
He added that it is not just about the defence and they need the "freedom to attack" also, while focusing on forward Lucas Paqueta: "Maybe it's the other way around. We have to improve Lucas - to get the best out of him. He can do a lot of things. We have the pieces to get the best out of him. We have speed in front. Now let's find solutions inside the team so that Lucas can deliver hs best."
Gossip: Hammers targeting three players in Januarypublished at 07:52 BST 22 October
07:52 BST 22 October
West Ham are targeting at least three players - a striker, a midfielder and a defender - in January as they seek to turn their fortunes around. (Sky Sports), external
'There is so much wrong with the club'published at 12:16 BST 21 October
12:16 BST 21 October
James Jones Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Monday night at London Stadium marked a pretty dark day in West Ham's modern history.
Hammers fans, disgruntled by David Sullivan and Karren Brady's running of the club, staged a boycott of Nuno Espirito Santo's first home game in charge against Brentford. A series of broken promises, poor recruitment and the overall mismanagement of a big London club rightly has them demanding a change at board level.
The move to London Stadium from Upton Park is at the very top of the list of things fans are angry about. Supporters were not consulted about the move and were then promised "a world-class stadium for a world-class team".
Nine and a half years later, West Ham are 19th in the Premier League and there is absolutely nothing about the club or the stadium that can be described as "world class".
The arena is not what was promised and it shows, with the lower tier resting on scaffolding while fans struggle to grow any kind of affection for a home which, three seasons in Europe and Conference League title aside, has mostly hosted relegation-threatened seasons.
As a result, fans were well within their rights to voice their anger at the direction in which the club is heading by simply not turning up on Monday. Early estimates suggest London Stadium was about 60% full, despite an air of optimism surrounding Nuno's start to his tenure.
Fans still spoke with their feet regardless of their hopes of seeing a first home win since February.
A 2-0 loss, a flat atmosphere and boos at the full-time whistle only compounded the club's woes as it desperately tried to flog cheap tickets and fill the lower tiers (to avoid so many empty seats being on display in front of Sky's cameras) before a ball had been kicked.
Now, relegation is a real and serious concern. There is so much wrong with the club and the board is to blame for much of that - they are overseeing the death of a once great club.
Until things change at the top, fans will continue to find ways to protest.
Bees dominated passive Hammerspublished at 11:09 BST 21 October
11:09 BST 21 October
Tom McCoy BBC Sport journalist
Brentford took full advantage of a passive display by West Ham to produce one of their most dominant away performances in the Premier League.
They had 42 touches in the opposition box and registered 22 shots, with both figures their highest in a top-flight game on the road since promotion in 2021.
Several of the visitors' other key metrics, including expected goals, also ranked amongst their best as the Bees produced what head coach Keith Andrews called their "most complete performance of the season".
The concern for Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo will be just how one-sided the game was – and why his side weren't more competitive.
Hammers making unwanted historypublished at 11:07 BST 21 October
11:07 BST 21 October
Image source, BBC Sport
Last night's 2-0 defeat to Brentford marked the first time West Ham have lost their opening four home games in a league season.
It was also just the second occasion that the Hammers have lost five successive top-flight matches at home, with the previous coming almost 100 years ago.
Between February and April in the 1930-31 campaign they were beaten at Upton Park by Grimsby Town (3-4), Arsenal (2-4), Birmingham City (1-2), Derby County (0-1) and Bolton Wanderers (1-4).
They finished 18th and narrowly missed relegation, however they finished bottom of the league in the following season.
West Ham United 0-2 Brentford - the fans' verdictpublished at 08:18 BST 21 October
08:18 BST 21 October
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We asked for your thoughts after Monday's Premier League match between West Ham United and Brentford.
Here are some of your comments:
West Ham fans:
Blake: Absolutely shocking performance from West ham. Absolutely no urgency anywhere on the pitch and everyone looked tired. Need to have a big look at ourselves and try again.
Jade: That's one of the worst performances I've seen from us in years (and I've seen some stinkers). What exactly was Nuno's plan tonight? No striker, full-backs playing on the wrong sides, a midfield with no presence - looked like 11 strangers out there. No cohesion, identity or fight - utterly toothless.
Roger: Expected so much more passion on the pitch for the new gaffer's first home game. Time for some radical action. 17-year-old Airidas Golambeckis is our best young player since Rice.
Robbie: Poor West Ham team, not a one off, major problems ahead.
Brentford fans:
Mike: Andrews quietly silencing the doubters. Young coach learning game by game, will be there for many years I feel. Well don't Bees.
Lee: Brentford looked much fitter than West Ham. The Hammers looked very lethargic.
Drew: Only consolation for West Ham United tonight was the scoreline. Brentford should've been in double figures. Worst performance by a Premier League team I've seen in years. Brentford's Thiago looks some player. Brentford will be OK with the quality they've got throughout the squad.
West Ham 2-0 Brentford: What Nuno saidpublished at 07:58 BST 21 October
07:58 BST 21 October
Media caption,
'We're not going to sleep' - Nuno reacts to first game in charge after West Ham defeat
West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo speaking to BBC Sport following the 2-0 defeat to Brentford: "It was tough. Not just for me. It was tough for our fans, for our players, for everybody.
"The first 15 minutes things were clicking and the team were organised and combining well. After that we lost composure.
"Credit to Brentford, a physical team that put us under problems. Throw-ins, corners and the momentum of the game changed."
On his half-time changes: "We were being fragile at the back. It was almost 0-2 [after the VAR disallowed goal] and it becomes harder."
On whether he is still learning about his players: "Every day. Every moment. We're not going to sleep. "It's a challenge for all of us. It's up to us to change the momentum and bring our fans back to support us In four days time we need a big improvement."
Did you know?
West Ham United have lost five successive home games in the top-flight for the second time in their history, previously doing so in April 1931.
West Ham 0-2 Brentford analysis: Nuno's nightmare first home gamepublished at 23:17 BST 20 October
23:17 BST 20 October
Michael Emons BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
West Ham only had one shot on target at home against Brentford
It is hard to imagine how Nuno Espirito Santo's first home game in charge of West Ham could have gone any worse
This was a miserable night on and off the pitch for the hosts.
There were plenty of empty seats amid the latest phase of protests organised by fan group Hammers United, who want chairman David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady to leave.
Those who were there then booed the team off at half-time, most had left long before the final whistle with the few that did stay again displaying their frustration at the final whistle.
The Hammers have now lost their first four home league games, and did not deserve anything from a woeful showing against a Brentford side that had not picked up a point on their travels before coming to London Stadium.
Apart from one bright run from Crysencio Summerville from the halfway line to the penalty area and Jarrod Bowen's low strike being saved, there was little to excite West Ham fans.
This was a painful reality check of how big a challenge Nuno faces as he attempts to keep West Ham in the top flight. On this evidence, the Hammers face a long season and a relegation battle.
West Ham v Brentford: Team news published at 18:59 BST 20 October
18:59 BST 20 October
Nuno Espirito Santo makes five changes to the West Ham starting line-up in his first home game in charge of the Hammers.
In come 19-year-old full-back Ollie Scarles, Jean-Clair Todibo, Kyle Walker-Peters, Tomas Soucek (back after a three-game ban) and Andy Irving.
West Ham XI: Areola, Scarles, Kilman, Todibo, Walker-Peters, Soucek, Irving, Summerville, Fernandes, Paqueta, Bowen.
Just the one change from Brentford boss Keith Andrews to the 11 that began the 1-0 loss to Manchester City on 5 October as Dango Ouattara is in and Aaron Hickey misses out.
Brentford XI: Kelleher, Yarmoliuk, Van Den Berg, Collins, Ajer, Kayode, Damsgaard, Henderson, Ouattara, Thiago, Schade.