Tension aplenty at the London Stadium
West Ham United welcome Eintracht Frankfurt to the London Stadium in the semi finals of the Europa League on Thursday.
The Hammers emphatically knocked Lyon out of the competition in the previous round, where Eintracht conquered Barcelona.
The Eagles have been in these stages before in recent years and in Oliver Glasner, just as the Hammers do in David Moyes, they have a manager who is well-suited to knockout football.
West Ham are surprisingly very short, around evens, to win the game outright, seeing as they have not won either of their first legs so far in the knockout stages, this was quite surprising.
Background
Eintracht sit ninth in the Bundesliga, and are actually ranked 13th on expected goals (xG), they have underachieved domestically, and do have an ageing squad, therefore it is not a surprise to see them hit their straps in the biggest games, which have come in the Europa League.
Daichi Kamada is a very intriguing mobile forward, Filip Kostic on his day is one of their more dangerous players while Sebastian Rode is a hugely experienced midfielder.
It will be very interesting to see how Tomas Soucek and Declan Rice get on in the centre of the park.
It should be a cracking atmosphere at the London Stadium, as it was in their memorable second leg victory over Sevilla and in the competition all season.
Jarrod Bowen and Declan Rice feel like the crucial players and it will be interesting to see how Glasner approaches the game.
Goals?
My angle into this one has to be goals, there will be tension due to the enormity of the fixture.
The Hammers have also been strong at the back of late and will have to lean on that at times, if they are to progress to a dreamy final.
West Ham have scored in seven of ten.
West Ham have conceded in eight of ten.
West Ham have seen both teams score in five of ten.
West Ham have seen over 2.5 goals in four of ten.
Eintracht have scored in six of ten.
Eintracht have conceded in eight of ten.
Eintracht have seen both teams score in six of ten.
Eintracht have seen over 2.5 goals in five of ten.
The Hammers are too short, so there could potentially be some value on the visitors, however a goals angle does entice me more.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
2-1 Eintracht, the Hammers have it all to do.