Hammers head out on a revenge mission

The Irons head for Belgium as likely favourites for only their second clash with Anderlecht tomorrow night (Thurs) – the other being when they were beaten in the 1976 European Cup Winners’ Cup final.

That means they are also on a revenge mission, but a tight game is very much on the cards.

The Hammers have two wins from two Group B matches played, after beating Romanians FCSB 3-1 at London Stadium and Danish side Silkeborg IF 3-2 on the road in September.

Anderlecht are also unbeaten, having beaten Silkeborg 1-0 at Lotto Park on Matchday One, then drawn 0-0 at FCSB last time out.

A total of 1300 Hammers fans will be inside the stadium which has just a 21,500-capacity cheering on what is likely to be a much-changed side from the one that beat Wolves at the weekend.

There will also be NO goal-line technology or VAR in operation at Lotto Park on Thursday evening. There is also no VAR in use in the UECL this season.

If a player receives three cautions during the group stage he will be required to serve a one-match suspension. Maxwel Cornet, Aaron Cresswell, Angelo Ogbonna and Emerson have all received one caution so far.

Each manager can name up to 12 substitutes, of whom five can be used on three occasions (plus half-time). There are no additional ‘concussion substitutes’ available in UEFA Club Competitions.

The team news remains much as it was before the weekend with Ben Johnson back in training after recovering from a thigh problem.

Anderlecht’s only injury issues surround central midfielder Adrien Trébel, who has been out with a shoulder injury since August, and Belgium U21 international defensive midfielder Marco Kana, who has only featured once this season.

 

About Hugh5outhon1895

Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!" Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon