Leeds United manager Sam Allardyce reckons upcoming opponents West Ham might have offered his men a 'subconscious' boost in their Premier League relegation scrap with Everton.
With two games remaining, the Blues - who were managed by Allardyce for six months during the 2017/2018 season - are narrowly above the bottom three on 32 points. Leeds have totted-up 31 points in 18th position as Leicester City (30 points) and Nottingham Forest (34 points) have to be factored in either side.
Next up for Allardyce's squad on Sunday afternoon is a trip to the London Stadium - only 72 hours after West Ham booked their place in the Europa Conference League final amid chaotic scenes in the Netherlands. And it is that success Allardyce hopes can help Leeds in their push to beat the drop this season.
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West Ham were 1-0 winners against semi-final opponents AZ Alkmaar on Thursday night after, also, beating them in the first leg. It was enough to rubber-stamp progression to the Prague showpiece against Fiorentina on Wednesday, June 7 and the Hammers might just have on eye on that historic occasion.
As such, selection will come into play - with Leeds on the horizon - and David Moyes did make nine changes to his line-up between the two semi-final matches. Not only that, there were some rather boozy celebrations in the changing room and beyond after West Ham got the job done against the Eredivisie side.
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Social media is rife with such content right now as the Hammers prepare to jet back into the UK for the next Premier League matchday. Naturally, the impact of their midweek result was, also, put to Allardyce during his pre-match press conference held on Friday morning.
Allardyce, 68, said: "They've got a final to think about. Subconsciously, you never know how it affects players. One would have a worry that you wouldn't want to miss a final. They might be more tentative."
Before watching West Ham and Leeds get down to business, Everton take on Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on Saturday afternoon (3pm). Victory in that fixture would move the Blues four points above Leeds, meaning survival could be secured this weekend if other results go their way.
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