'Rude awakening' - Sky pundit names West Ham player who could 'destroy' Leeds

The Hammers have been in fine form this season, and nobody has epitomised their superb campaign better than the 30-year-old, who has hit seven goals and three assists so far this term.

That tally includes two in his last two outings, and Antonio’s purple patch, combined with his natural physicality and willingness to exploit open space, has convinced Lescott that he can be a difference-maker against the Whites.

Speaking on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday, the former England defender said: “I think the game against Leeds could play into the hands of Antonio.

“If you give him big spaces to run into and isolate defenders against him one v one, he can destroy people.

“If Leeds go into this game thinking ‘one v one our players are better than yours’, that could come with a rude awakening.”

A win for West Ham would give David Moyes and his men a major boost in their bid to land an unlikely top four finish.

As for Leeds, Arsenal’s draw against Burnley on Saturday afternoon means that a victory at the London Stadium would take them level on points with the Gunners in 10th.

Antonio didn’t feature when the two sides met at Elland Road back in December, with a late goal from defender Angelo Ogbonna handing the Irons a 1-0 victory that day.

The forward is yet to score in five careers appearances against the Whites either, although he does have two assists from his time with Sheffield Wednesday.