Prediction West Ham vs Bayer Leverkusen

Verdict: Bayer Leverkusen win

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Making real history over the weekend, Bayer Leverkusen will be looking to book their Europa League semi-final spot when they travel to West Ham on Thursday night.

West Ham

Starting with the hosts, eventually falling to what was a deserved 2-0 defeat when they travelled over to Germany for their first-leg showdown last week, West Ham are seeking a real miracle here. While David Moyes’ men might have signed off 2023 in the midst of a real flurry, the Hammers have come crashing back down to earth since opening the New Year. Continuing to show a string of issues and with extended speculation over Moyes’ future at the London Stadium, Thursday’s hosts will be bracing themselves for another monumental challenge at the London Stadium. Enduring another domestic nightmare over the weekend as they fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Fulham, West Ham have also gained a reputation for their glaring defensive struggles. Not recording a single clean sheet since the start of January, the Hammers couldn’t have wished for a tougher challenge here.

Team News

Both picking up their own respective first-leg bookings in Germany last week, the duo of Lucas Paqueta and Emerson Palmieri will serve their one-match suspensions here. Likewise, once again missing out over the weekend and still dealing with a recent back injury, the Hammers are expected to be without attacking talisman Jarrod Bowen.

Initially settling for a spot on the bench against Fulham on Sunday afternoon, skipper Zurt Zouma will return at the heart of West Ham’s defence. Veteran defender Aaron Cresswell will keep his spot at left-back.

Bayer Leverkusen

As for the visitors, storming their way to a famous 5-0 romp at home against Werder Bremen over the weekend, Bayer Leverkusen have now officially been crowned as Bundesliga champions. Only continuing to break a string of records this season and riding what has been an iconic wave of momentum, the German high-flyers have firmly cemented their spot as Europe’s ultimate surprise package. Eventually clinching what was a deserved 2-0 victory when they welcomed the Hammers to town last week, Xabi Alonso’s men are sat firmly in the driving seat to punch a Europa League semi-final ticket here. Remarkably not suffering a single defeat across any competition so far this season and gaining a fearsome reputation for their performances in the final third, Leverkusen should be relishing a trip to east London.

Team News

Still dealing with a recent ankle issue, Bayer Leverkusen are expected to be without former Spata Prague starlet Adam Hlozek on Thursday night. However, the newly-crowned German champions have reported a clean bill of health ahead of their trip to the London Stadium.

Coming off the bench and bagging a famous hat-trick over the weekend, 20-year-old sensation Florian Wirtz will certainly be handed a full recall in east London. Notching a first-leg strike at the BayArena last week, Nigerian international Victor Boniface could spearhead Alonso’s charge here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When West Ham and Bayer Leverkusen met for their first-leg meeting over in Germany last week, Thursday’s guests collected a 2-0 victory on home soil.
• Bayer Leverkusen’s 4-0 romp against Werder Bremen over the weekend officially handed the German high-flyers a maiden Bundesliga crown.
• Likewise, Alonso’s men have remarkably not suffered a single defeat across any competition so far this season.
• West Ham have failed to record a single clean sheet since the start of January.
• The Hammers have won just a pair of their previous 10 straight showdowns in front of their own supporters.

Conclusion

Making real history over the weekend as they got their hands on a maiden Bundesliga crown, Bayer Leverkusen will be looking to make another statement here. Breezing their way to a 2-0 first-leg victory on home soil last week and tipped as a leading Europa League contender this season, the German record-breakers should be relishing a trip to east London on Thursday night. With the Hammers continuing to show a string of glaring issues since opening the New Year and seeking a major miracle at the London Stadium, we are expecting an away win in the English capital.

Verdict: Bayer Leverkusen win

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Dachbet