Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Unibet
Desperate to pick up a first-leg advantage on Thursday night, West Ham will welcome German outfit Eintracht Frankfurt to the London Stadium for their Europa League semi-final.
West Ham
Starting with the hosts, hit with last-gasp heartbreak away at London rivals Chelsea last weekend, West Ham will be desperate to find a first-leg boost here. While the Hammers might have stunned French outfit Lyon earlier in the month as they picked up a 3-0 romp on foreign soil, David Moyes’ men are in somewhat of a blip. Along with a disappointing 2-0 defeat away at Premier League debutants Brentford on April 10th, the one-time Manchester United boss has seen his side win just one of their last five matchups across all formats. Knowing that a top-four finish is all but off the table this season, West Ham should at least be boosted by their continued success at the London Stadium. Along with picking up victories at home against the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool, it should be noted that Thursday’s hosts are unbeaten in their last eight straight contests in east London, a run that stems back to January 16th.
Team News
Making a host of changes against Chelsea last weekend, the likes of Declan Rice, Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen will all make their return on Thursday night.
However, the Hammers will once again be without the defensive trio of Kurt Zouma, Angelo Ogbonna and Issa Diop here.
Eintracht Frankfurt
As for the visitors, last seen over the weekend having to settle for a 2-2 draw at home against Hoffenheim, Eintracht Frankfurt find themselves in a very similar position to Thursday’s opponents. Shocking almost everyone across Europe earlier in the month as they picked up a famous 3-2 win away at Spanish giants Barcelona, the Eagles have still really struggled with their consistency this season. Now in a battle to secure a top-half finish in the Bundesliga, Oliver Glasner’s men have managed to win just one of their previous nine matchups across all formats, a run that stems back to March 13th. Undoubtedly saving their best performances for the European stage this season, the former Wolfsburg boss will have a headache over his side’s struggles at the back. Including a sluggish 2-0 defeat away at Union Berlin, Thursday’s guests have now shipped at least a pair of strikes in their previous four appearances on the spin.
Team News
In what looks set to be a real blow for Frankfurt on Thursday night, they will be without the duo of Evan N’Dicka and Kristijan Jakic who are both serving suspensions.
Bagging a brace away at the Nou Camp on April 14th, Felip Kostic will lead the Eagles’ charge in east London.
Key Factors to Consider
- Including a 2-0 victory against Sevilla last month, West Ham are unbeaten in their last eight matchups at the London Stadium, a run that stems back to January 16th.
- Eintracht Frankfurt’s 3-2 win away at Barcelona on April 14th is their only victory from their previous nine contests across all formats.
- Likewise, the German outfit have shipped at least a pair of strikes in their previous four appearances on the spin.
- Four of West Ham’s last five home fixtures have finished with both teams finding the net.
- The duo of Daichi Kamada and Filip Kostic have scored seven Europa League strikes between them.
Conclusion
Despite being hit with a disappointing 1-0 loss away at Chelsea last weekend, West Ham should be smelling the chance to make more Europa League history here. Storming their way to the semi-final with a 3-0 romp away at French outfit Lyon, the Hammers have continued to shine on home soil this season. Including a shock round of 16 victory against Sevilla, we could be in for another enjoyable affair on Thursday night. While Eintracht Frankfurt might be in the midst of an extended blip, they will be boosted by a stunning display in Spain earlier in the month. Picking up a famous 3-2 win away at Barcelona, chances could come at both ends of the pitch. Likewise, with West Ham seeing four of their last five fixtures at the London Stadium finishing with both teams finding the net, we’re backing a similar outcome here.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Unibet
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