Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker:
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
