Add as preferred source on Google
Jarrod Bowen cannot help but see similarities between West Ham United and Leeds ahead of their FA Cup clash on Sunday.
In a game that both teams will have designs on winning, West Ham play Leeds in an FA Cup quarter-final at the London Stadium with a place at Wembley in the next round on the line.
DISCUSS: This is the West Ham XI that needs to be named against Leeds
Should be strong enough to progress while resting key players for Wolves? 🤔
Credit; GRV Media
Both teams are in similar positions here. While the FA Cup is no doubt important and a potential trip to Wembley cannot be overlooked, their respective Premier League campaigns are surely the priority at this stage of the season.
For Bowen, however, the similarities do not stop there.
Bowen says Leeds fans are passionate like West Ham United supporters
Indeed, speaking to West Ham’s official website, Bowen said: “As a club, they’ve got a similar fanbase to us – loyal, passionate – who will want a day out at Wembley, too, so they’re going to be right up for it, and we have to match that and be better than them in every single sense.”
While it would be natural that sections of both fanbases have one eye on the Premier League table, Bowen is right.
These are two hugely passionate sets of supporters and the idea that an evenly matched FA Cup quarter-final is a burden does seem rather fanciful.
How much is a trophy worth? Would you take relegation if it meant winning the FA Cup? 🏆
Imagine us going full Wigan vibes 👀
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Not only is there a place at Wembley on the line, Sunday’s victor could strike a major psychological blow when it comes to the battle for Premier League safety.
Leeds, after all, are only four points ahead of the Irons in the Premier League table and are set to visit the London Stadium again on the final day of the season.
As such, a West Ham win on Sunday could be a statement of intent.
Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Hammers head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has vowed to take the FA Cup seriously, which will no doubt be music to the ears of supporters attending the game.
This matters to both sets of fans, even if the ultimate goal for both teams is ensuring they are a Premier League side come the end of May.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox