Hammers take on all time Europa greats
A momentous occasion gets underway on Thursday evening with West Ham United pushing to progress to the quarter finals of the Europa League.
The Hammers must recover a one goal deficit after losing the first leg in Seville.
Julen Lopetegui’s Sevilla have a rich history in the competition and are very well set up to sit back and contain the Hammers to ensure progression.
David Moyes’ men have been one of the stories of the Premier League since the pandemic and have gone from worrying about relegation to the Championship year on year, to competing for European football.
Sevilla are sat second in La Liga, ten points behind Real Madrid, but look on course to kick on and seal qualification for the Champions League next season.
Background
Lopetegui has significantly improved Sevilla and they are a nightmare of an opponent especially in knockout football.
The Hammers’ form has slowed up in the last month or so and the lack of squad depth is starting to show with the fixtures coming thick and fast.
West Ham did not take the opportunity to build a deep squad to compete on two fronts this season, Moyes has still seen them overperform to flirt with the top four in the Premier League, but the frailties are starting to show and Jarrod Bowen has picked up an achilles injury at the worst possible time.
Sevilla have player availability issues of their own, Erik Lamela, Diego Carlos, Lucas Ocampos, Papu Gomez and Suso are all set to be sidelined as Lopetegui’s men look to cling onto their lead at the London Stadium.
Goals?
Unders is the play here for me.
Sevilla’s natural instinct is to defend, it will be a cracking atmosphere at the London Stadium and West Ham should be able to assert their authority, territory-wise at least.
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 three of ten.
Sevilla have scored in seven of ten.
Sevilla have conceded in six of ten.
Sevilla have seen both teams score in five of ten.
Sevilla have seen over 2.5 goals in three of ten.
West Ham will give everything to stay in the competition, but you cannot deny the experience in the Sevilla squad stands them in good stead to keep it tight.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
2-0 West Ham in extra time, the Hammers shock the rest of the field by defeating Lopetegui's men.