Sports activities Mole previews Thursday’s Europa Convention League conflict between West Ham United and AZ Alkmaar, together with predictions, staff information and potential lineups.
West Ham United and AZ Alkmaar proceed their bid to win the Europa Convention League on Thursday once they sq. off within the first leg of their semi-final tie.
At a time when West Ham sit in fifteenth place within the Premier League standings, AZ occupy fourth place within the Eredivisie, two factors adrift of Ajax.
Match preview
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Having not too long ago suffered three straight defeats within the Premier League, David Moyes has come again underneath strain at West Ham, but the Scot restocked his credit score within the financial institution on the weekend.
The Hammers posted a deserved 1-0 victory over Manchester United to maneuver seven factors away from the relegation zone with three matches remaining, seemingly making certain their survival within the high flight.
West Ham have additionally suffered simply 4 defeats in 14 matches in all competitions, helped by extending their undefeated streak in Europe to 12 fixtures.
Gent pushed West Ham arduous within the quarter-finals, main 2-1 on mixture at one stage earlier than their opponents surged again, and such a comeback highlighted that Moyes possesses the strongest squad within the competitors.
Nonetheless, West Ham might want to have discovered classes from this time final yr once they under-performed and misplaced out to Eintracht Frankfurt within the Europa League semi-finals.
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AZ Alkmaar usually are not precisely experiencing new floor in Europe – they reached the 1981 UEFA Cup closing – however this represents their first time in a continental semi-final since that includes within the final 4 of the UEFA Cup in 2004-25.
Pascal Jansen should present as a lot precedence to the Eredivisie as this competitors with AZ simply two factors adrift of Europa League qualification and 6 forward of fifth-placed Twente with three video games left, considered one of which is in opposition to PSV Eindhoven.
However, everybody related to the Dutch outfit will view this as their finest alternative to win a European trophy with momentum very a lot on their aspect.
After gorgeous Lazio within the final 16, AZ overturned a 2-0 mixture deficit to Anderlecht to ultimately prevail on penalties, organising a mouth-watering showdown with West Ham.
AZ have solely confronted English opponents twice in over 13 years, enjoying Manchester United within the Europa League group levels the place they drew 0-0 on the AFAS Stadion earlier than dropping 4-0 at Outdated Trafford.
West Ham United Europa Convention League kind:
West Ham United kind (all competitions):
AZ Alkmaar Europa Convention League kind:
AZ Alkmaar kind (all competitions):
Crew Information
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Barring any additional damage points, Moyes may identify the identical outfield gamers which inspired in opposition to Man United on Sunday.
Though Tomas Soucek suffered a head knock throughout that fixture, the midfielder was capable of full the 90 minutes and must be handed match.
Kurt Zouma is prone to miss out with an ankle damage, regardless of Moyes remaining coy over the severity of the problem, whereas goalkeeper Alphonse Areola will return between the sticks.
Jens Odgaard is a serious doubt for AZ after struggling a thigh damage in the course of the first half of Sunday’s goalless draw with Ajax.
Both Mayckel Lahdo or Dani de Wit are in line to deputise on the appropriate flank, whereas AZ will certainly be with out Milos Kerkez resulting from suspension.
Mees de Wit might be drafted into the defence at left-back in his place.
West Ham United potential beginning lineup:
Areola; Kehrer, Aguerd, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Soucek, Rice; Bowen, Paqueta, Benrahma; Antonio
AZ Alkmaar potential beginning lineup:
Ryan; Sugawara, Beukema, Hatzidiakos, M. de Wit; Clasie, Reijnders; D. de Wit, Mijnans, Brederode; Pavlidis
We are saying: West Ham United 1-1 AZ Alkmaar
Whereas West Ham are the marginal favourites to earn a slim lead from the primary leg, AZ deserve loads of respect forward of this tie. On that be aware, we’re backing the Dutch outfit to earn a share of the spoils on the London Stadium, leaving the tie finely poised forward of the reverse fixture within the Netherlands.
For information evaluation of the almost definitely outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click on right here.
