A spot in the Europa League final will be at stake when Eintracht Frankfurt and West Ham United face each other at Deutsche Bank Park on Thursday evening. Die Adler did well to beat the Hammers in London (2-1), meaning that they are on the cups of the Europa League final. The Germans, though, can’t afford any complacency in the return leg. Both Jakic and N’Dicka are back from suspensions, while both Lindstrom and Ramaj should miss out on injuries.
The Hammers trail 2-1 heading into the second leg, just like they did in the Cup Winners’ Cup semi back in 1976 before turning it around with a 3-1 victory in the return. But that historic triumph came at Upton Park and the class of 2022 will need to mount their revival on German soil after flopping at the London Stadium when we tipped them to win.
Eintracht Frankfurt put their disappointing domestic form behind them once again to claim another impressive European result after knocking out La Liga giants Real Betis and Barcelona. That has put Oliver Glasner’s men in the driving seat for a return to Spain for the final in Seville but it would be foolish to write West Ham off as some of their finest displays in Europe have come on the road.
Form Guide: West Ham
West Ham’s season seems to be crumbling at the 11th hour. They’ve already been knocked out of the top four in the Premier League, and can’t get to the Champions League through that route. After the 2-1 loss to Arsenal in the Premier League at the weekend, the Europa League is all for them now but again they come here trailing, against a very attacking team. West Ham have now recorded three straight losses and are without a win in the last four games ahead of this. They’ve conceded twice in the last two matches but only failed to score once in the last five matches.
The Premier League side need a win here, but their away run hasn’t been impressive, heading to Germany with seven losses in their last 10 away outings. They were impressive away to Lyon though in the last round of this competition, winning 3-0. Here, they will meet a different kind of opposition, especially after failing to score in three of their last five away matches. In the Europa League, they have just one away loss in five this season and will be hoping to extend the same here.
Form Guide: Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt had a losing outing ahead of their Europa League return match at home against West Ham United as the two sides seek a place in the final. The German side lead 2-1 from the first leg and after a great run in the competition, will be looking to cap it with a place in the final. They are coming from a 2-0 loss to Bayer Leverkusen in a Monday league game and will be looking to avoid the same when they welcome the Hammers. With this game in mind, Frankfurt made eight changes to their Bundesliga lineup at the weekend.
As the game progressed, Filip Kostic, Jens Petter Hauge, and Tuta were also replaced and there’s a feeling the team will be fresh on Thursday. A major concern for Frankfurt will be in defense, having managed no clean sheet in the last five matches, and conceding twice in four of the five matches. However, they have only failed to score twice and in the remaining three games, they’ve scored two or more goals. Both sides have scored in their last nine Europa League matches but they are unbeaten in 11 matches in this competition. At home in this competition, they have four draws in five and one wins in six.
How the game could go
West Ham make the trip to Germany against Frankfurt trailing the German side by two goals to one. The mission for the Hammers is simple, win by at least one goal to give yourself a chance of progressing, but that could prove much easier said than done.
Given the current aggregate scoreline, both teams will have to find a balance during the second leg, but this is a game between two sides who have struggled for clean sheets of late. Expect goals aplenty on Thursday night but we feel that Frankfurt showed enough at the London Stadium to indicate that they will be difficult to beat in front of their own supporters. West Ham have to score so that could leave them prone to counterattacks.
Betting Predictions
Over 2.5 Goals
We’re expecting goals in this game just as there were in the 1st-leg. Over 2.5 goals have been scored in four of Eintracht Frankfurt’s last six outings in all competitions while at least three goals have been scored in three of West Ham’s last five fixtures, so you can see why we’re backing over 2.5 goals to be scored in Germany this Thursday. Bet9ja have 1.86, 1xbet have 1.98 and Paripesa have 1.98 odds.
Both teams to score (YES)
Both teams found the back of the net in London last week and we’re predicting another end-to-end 90-minutes in Frankfurt this week. Both teams have scored in four of Frankfurt’s last six outings in league and cup as well as in three of West Ham’s last four matches, adding further weight to our second prediction for Thursday’s 2nd-leg in Germany. Bet9ja have 1.66 odds, Paripesa have 1.76 and 1xbet have 1.76 odds.
Anytime Goalscorer (West Ham)
Bowen
The English forward has been exceptional for the hammers this season without a doubt. He has double-figure goals in the league already and he scored consecutive goals in the UEL before drawing blanks against Frankfurt in the first leg. He has to be in top form which we predict he would be here today for his team. Bet9ja have 3.75 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 3.74.
Antonio
He found the back of the net like we predicted last week but his goal was not enough for his side to get a draw at home. He would be included in the starting lineup once again after being rested for the London derby against Arsenal which turned out to be a disappointing loss. Today, he can take West Ham to the final with a good performance in front of goal. He is the one with the most goals for his side in all competitions should be fired up to score here today. Bet9ja have 3.25 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 2.75.
Anytime Goalscorer (Frankfurt)
Knauff
Frankfurt’s Ansgar Knauff opened the scoring after 51 seconds in the first leg and both his UEL goals this term have been game openers. He could be an unlikely source for goals for this German side here today as they seek a spot in the Final. Bet9ja have 5.75 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 4.74.
Kamada
Japanese midfielder Daichi Kamada scored in the first leg and has chipped in with nine goals for Eintracht Frankfurt this season. He has scored on his last two starts making this pick a very considerable one. He would provide the attacking intent from the wings and help his team to an important final. Bet9ja have 5.00 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 4.32.
Football Lover. All-round junkie of the beautiful game. Could be found watching football most of the time. If not he’s writing about them or making some punditry you don’t agree with. A certain bias for Arsenal and Santos FC.
