West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo’s perfect record against Leeds United

Add as preferred source on Google

Leeds United’s ninth chapter in avoiding relegation from the Premier League sees Daniel Farke’s side host West Ham at Elland Road, but one stat will cause the Leeds manager some concern.

For both sides, they will face a relegation rival for the second game in a row. On Monday night, West Ham were easily beaten by Brentford at the London Stadium. A 2-0 loss that could have been four or five.

Two days earlier, Burnley beat Leeds at Turf Moor. This defeat was even more frustrating for Leeds fans, given that Farke’s side had dominated with 69% possession and 19 attempts, compared to Burnley’s four.

Now, the two under-pressure sides will meet at Elland Road, with Leeds favourites to go and win the game, given they have home advantage against a side that has only picked up four points this season.

• READ MORE: Jarrod Bowen’s verdict on Leeds United fans ahead of West Ham clash

Leeds have never been able to beat Nuno Espirito Santo before

Farke is expected to make changes, and the returning trio of Dan James, Lucas Perri and Willy Gnonto should at least give the German gaffer a bit more depth when it comes to picking his starting XI.

But worryingly for Leeds, Nuno Espirito Santo has an impeccable record when facing the Yorkshire side. The Portuguese gaffer has faced Leeds on four occasions as manager, all four games with Wolves.

Two in the Championship, two in the Premier League: Wolves won all four. While he is now at West Ham, Leeds will have to do something they’ve never done before to win on Friday – get the better of Nuno.

Nuno could have been in the Leeds dugout on Friday night

It could have been very different, so much so that Nuno might have been in charge of Leeds on Friday night. A few months before Farke’s appointment, Leeds were looking to replace Jesse Marsch.

After Leeds failed to attract Andoni Iraola and Arne Slot, and missed out on Julen Lopetegui and Unai Emery, Leeds interviewed Nuno about the job. But Nuno remained at Al-Ittihad and won the league.

Leeds hired Javi Gracia instead, and after his brief stint, Sam Allardyce came in for the final four games. Leeds are still reeling from those mistakes now, having only just returned to the Premier League.