West Ham United will play in their biggest match in recent history on Thursday, as they prepare to face German side Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League semi-final.
The Hammers will host the first leg of a European semi-final – the club’s first since 1976 when they also faced Eintracht Frankfurt in the Cup Winners’ Cup semi-final.
Now, the Hammers can rewrite history and help get one foot into the Europa League final, where the team could play RB Leipzig or Rangers.
Following an emphatic display in the quarter-final second leg over Lyon, David Moyes’ side will go into this match full of confidence and fresh legs to gain the advantage before next week’s return fixture.
Having lost only two games so far in this entire tournament, the Hammers might be slight favourites to progress into the next round. However, they must be wary of their Bundesliga opponents.
Eintracht Frankfurt, despite being 9th in their league table this season, have also endured an impressive Europa League campaign.
Their incredible performances against Spanish giants and tournament favourites Barcelona, where they won 4-3 on aggregate, proved that they are not to be underestimated in this fixture.
West Ham Team News
West Ham have been dealt a huge injury blow to three central defenders for this fixture, with Kurt Zouma, Angelo Ogbonna and Issa Diop all long-term absentees.
Fans received some positive news with the return of Zouma to training this week, but the France international will still not be available for this match and Craig Dawson remains as our only fit centre back.
They remain as West Ham’s only injury worries, and manager David Moyes is expected to bring key trio Declan Rice, Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen back into the fold after they were rested for Sunday’s Premier League trip to Chelsea.
Eintracht Frankfurt on the other hand, will also have to manage without important players for this Thursday’s encounter.
The influential Evan Ndicka will miss the game through suspension, while Diant Ramaj, Dijbril Sow and Christopher Lenz are all injury doubts.
Filip Kostic will be one for the Hammers to watch, after his two goals and an assist against Barcelona helped them into the semi-finals.
Match Prediction
West Ham United 2 – 1 Eintracht Frankfurt
West Ham United will have the all-important 12th man on their side on Thursday, as the London Stadium will be rocking to the scenes of the Hammers in a European semi-final tie.
West Ham will have to be cautious of their opposition’s attacking threat and are also lacking defensively, but the squad will no doubt be confident and motivated to get a well-earned victory in this leg and move one step closer to a historic Europa League trophy.
