Hammers to continue bright start on all fronts
West Ham United will be seeking to strengthen their grip on a top two place in Group H of the UEFA Europa League when Rapid Wien visit the London Stadium. The hosts exacted revenge on their last-gasp league defeat to Manchester United by beating the same side in the EFL Cup, following that impressive victory with another away at Leeds United. Meanwhile, their opponents on Thursday night haven't won in the Austrian Bundesliga since August, and sit 11th (one from bottom) merely by virtue of a superior goal difference. Their loss against Genk in the pool opener sandwiched a run of desperately poor results, and there's little hope of that changing in England. Read our preview here:
Antonio! He's scoring again
Though maligned in some quarters for three jobs in a row that went awry for differing reasons, manager David Moyes has at least partially rehabilitated his reputation successfully in the east London dugout, leading the Hammers to a comfortable mid-table finish in his first six-month stint in 2017/2018, and subsequently returning on the cusp of 2020, once again nailing his brief (albeit surviving relegation). Last term, he led them to a deeply impressive sixth placed finish, precipitating their participation in an international club competition after a short hiatus. If there's a valid criticism of the current roster under him, it's that there really isn't a like-for-like replacement if and when converted striker Michail Antonio is unavailable. The one-time versatile wide player is now the key figure in attack, and has thus far racked up six goals in seven appearances in 2021/2022. With perhaps the best midfield unit behind him outside of the 'big four' alongside Leicester City, the foundations are all present to both stifle Rapid in open play and maintain a stranglehold on possession. Some rotation is expected on the right side of defence, but the strong XI in their match against Dinamo Zagreb has set a marker for how seriously Moyes and the club are treating their continental presence.
Don't hassle the Hofman
Die Grün-Weißen are in dire straits at the time of writing, and experienced head coach Dietmar Kühbauer needs to find a method of reversing their fortunes if he's to stay in what has hitherto been the second best side in Austria. The race for first is effectively over after just nine matches, with RB Salzburg winning every single one and already sitting an incredible 15 points ahead of third. Cup competitions have yet to provide any real solace from their lamentable league record either, and only an extra-time win over Admira (who barely avoided relegation last term) has brought relief. On the pitch, the 4-4-2 shape almost certainly ensures that Rapid will have to look to wider areas to try to play around their opponents, being severely outnumbered in central midfield areas. The backline is bound to come under sustained pressure, and one bright spark in a dreadful season to date has been the performances of stopper Maximilian Hofmann. Having come through the youth system and still in situ at 28, the club legend is a leader in defence, and he will need to organise his teammates well to squash the threat of Antonio running in behind to meet a whipped cross.
Any old Iron
West Ham can go into Thursday and their weekend derby at home to Brentford in confident mood; the added depth they now possess in defence and midfield (if not up top) will serve them well for games in quick succession in different competitions, and they're unlikely to show any mercy to a hapless Rapid outfit. betway, their front of shirt sponsors, are offering odds of 2.05 for a win to nil for the boys in claret and blue.
