Mark Lawrenson raises concerns over 'up and down' Leeds United & reveals West Ham prediction

In his weekly predictions column for BBC Sport, pundit and broadcaster gave his verdict on the big game, and backed the Hammers to claim a comfortable 2-0 win over Marcelo Bielsa's side.

Justifying his choice, the ex-Republic of Ireland international contended: “Leeds are very up and down at the moment - they are a bit like Aston Villa in that they are hard to predict.

“West Ham have been far more consistent, which is why they are in the race for the top four. Yes, they lost at Manchester City last weekend but that was still a very good performance.

“If Kalvin Phillips is back in the Leeds midfield then that improves their chances, but I'm backing the Hammers to maintain their impressive form.”

Meanwhile, Lawro's sparring partner for the week, musician and Liverpool fan Ben Howard, tipped an entertaining 3-2 win for the hosts.

When the two sides last met, at Elland Road back in December, Mateusz Klich's calmly-taken penalty saw the Whites go a goal up early on, only for the Hammers to fight back and secure a 2-1 win, thanks to goals from Tomas Soucek and Angelo Ogbonna.

Historically, the Whites have a solid record against West Ham, having lost just twice in their last fifteen meetings, in a record stretching all the way back to 1998.