West Ham United and Eintracht Frankfurt will look to take a step closer to Europa League glory when they square off in the first leg of their semi-final tie on Thursday evening.
At a time when the Hammers sit in the seventh position in the Premier League standings, Frankfurt finds themselves in ninth place in the Bundesliga table.
David Moyes has guided the Hammers to the penultimate stage of a major European competition for the first time since 1976 where, the east London club faced Frankfurt nearly 50 years ago, winning 4-3 on aggregate to make the European Cup Winners’ Cup final.
Both of these clubs are now just three games away from winning continental silverware and sealing Champions League football.
Form Guide: West Ham
West Ham are on an eight-match unbeaten run in all games at London Stadium and looks very much up for lifting this trophy. The Hammers did really well to edge out Sevilla in the round of 16, given that Spanish teams do so well in this tournament and Los Rojiblancos had the chance to host the final.
United had to settle for a 1-1 draw at this venue versus Lyon in the quarter-finals, but that was a fine effort after having Aaron Cresswell sent off before half-time. The Premier League side then stormed to a 3-0 victory in France, with Craig Dawson, Declan Rice, and Jarrod Bowen hitting the target.
David Moyes rested some key players for Sunday’s domestic trip to Chelsea, where they were only undone by a last-gasp penalty in a 1-0 loss. He will now hope the Hammers can physically outmuscle Frankfurt to secure a lead to take to Germany next week.
Form Guide: Frankfurt
Frankfurt are only ninth in Germany’s top flight this term and have gone five Bundesliga games without a win. However, their form in this competition commands respect, starting with an unbeaten run through a pool that featured Olympiacos, Fenerbahce, and Antwerp.
In the round of 16, Eintracht showed their good and bad traits, beating Real Betis 2-1 in Spain before conceding late on in a 1-0 home loss. An own goal in the closing stages of extra-time helped them advance and there was even more drama against Barcelona in the quarter-finals.
Following a 1-1 draw in Germany, Frankfurt stormed into a 3-0 lead at Camp Nou – roared on by almost 30,000 traveling fans – and just held on despite a Barca fightback.
Evan Ndicka’s late dismissal means he is suspended here and the highly-rated defender will be sorely missed.
How the game could go
Given the magnitude of this fixture for both clubs, we do not expect either side to go out all-guns-blazing in the first leg. The two sides will be perfectly content with remaining on level terms ahead of the return fixture in Germany, leading us to predict a low-scoring draw at the London Stadium.
West Ham United are enjoying a dream run in the Europa League and now stand a very good chance of winning the prestigious trophy. Eintracht Frankfurt, on the other hand, shocked Barcelona to reach the semi-finals of the competition. They have an interesting squad with talents like Jesper Lindstrom, Daichi Kamada, and Jens Petter Hauge, and should provide tough competition to their opposition.
Betting Predictions
West Ham to win
West Ham’s form hasn’t been that great of late with just two wins from their last six matches but one of those wins was a 3-0 victory away at Lyon in the last round. Frankfurt has lost two of their last six matches and has only won once during that period and when you add to that N’Dicka and Jakic’s suspensions, you can see why we’re backing the Hammers to win on Thursday. Bet9ja have 2.00, 1xbet have 2.01 and Paripesa have 2.01 odds.
Both teams to score (YES)
Both teams have scored in three of West Ham’s last six outings in all competitions while four of Frankfurt’s last five fixtures have also produced goals at both ends of the pitch, adding plenty of weight to our prediction for both teams to find the back of the net at the London Stadium. Bet9ja have 1.78 odds, Paripesa have 1.82 and 1xbet have 1.82 odds.
Anytime Goalscorer (West Ham)
Bowen
The English forward has been in stellar form this turn of the year and this has seen West Ham perform wonders when he has played. With three goals in the UEL, we have tipped him to add to his tally today. Bowen scored in both legs against Lyon and appeals to break the deadlock here. Bet9ja have 3.25 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 3.24.
Antonio
The striker has the second-most goals in all competitions for the Hammers despite just his one goal this season in the Europa League. Today, he can seek to add to that tally as he was rested well enough in their defeat to Chelsea over the weekend. He is dominant upfront and he might just be the difference here today. Bet9ja have 3.00 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 3.00.
Anytime Goalscorer (Liverpool)
Kostic
The Serbian has been an unsung hero for Frankfurt in this campaign as he has scored the most goals for them and the very important ones at that. He scored twice to stun Barcelona as his goals were enough to see his side qualify for the next round. He can surely replicate that form as he assisted a goal in his team’s last fixture Bet9ja have 5.50 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 5.25.
Rafael Borre
He is adjusting to life in the German league since his move from River Plate and he is yet to hit double-figure goals this season. Despite that, he has two goals for his team this season in the UEL and one was the stunner against Barcelona 2 weeks ago. He has been rested and would surely start in front for Frankfurt today, with West Ham losing a lot of defenders the past week he can surely capitalize on that and score here today. Bet9ja have 4.00 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 3.50.
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.
