The upcoming Europa League clash between West Ham and Bayer Leverkusen promises to be an enthralling encounter. The Bundesliga outfit is widely tipped as strong favourites to advance to the competition’s semi-finals. However, David Moyes and his West Ham squad remain optimistic about their chances of overcoming the German opponents. Contrary to many journalists and pundits’ opinions, West Ham has a significant opportunity to defeat Xabi Alonso’s side. As fans anticipate the thrilling encounter, those looking to add an extra layer of excitement to the match can claim free bets with the William Hill registration promo code to enhance the stakes of this captivating showdown.
Despite experiencing ups and downs this season, West Ham currently occupies seventh place in the Premier League standings. Despite occasional disappointments, the team has demonstrated its ability to compete effectively against any opponent on a given day. Meanwhile, Leverkusen dominates the Bundesliga, holding a commanding 10-point lead over second-placed Bayern Munich.
The Hammers embark on their journey to Germany for the first leg against Leverkusen at Bay Arena on Thursday, April 11th, followed by a return fixture at the London Stadium a week later. Securing any positive outcome against the Bundesliga side would be more than satisfactory for West Ham—a draw would be welcomed wholeheartedly.
However, Leverkusen has received a significant boost ahead of the Europa League clash. According to Soccernet Nigeria, Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface has recently resumed full training after a hiatus since December. The potential return of the 23-year-old hitman poses a considerable threat to West Ham. Moyes is reportedly interested in bringing Boniface to the London Stadium, recognizing his prowess.
Boniface is a formidable center-forward who has scored 16 goals and eight assists in 23 games for Bayer Leverkusen this season (Transfermarkt). The Hammers’ defenders are indeed apprehensive about facing him. Leverkusen’s ability to deploy the Nigerian striker will bolster their prospects in the upcoming two-legged Europa League quarter-final against West Ham next month.
While West Ham emerged as the leader of Group A, Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen dominated Group H with an impeccable record of six wins out of six matches against Qarabağ, Molde, and BK Häcken. Leverkusen showcased their resilience by overcoming a two-goal deficit in both legs to defeat Azerbaijani champions Qarabağ 5-4 on aggregate in the round of 16.
Currently, Leverkusen exhibits some of the most captivating football in Europe. Patrik Schick spearheads their attack with clinical finishing, complemented by the attacking prowess of Florian Wirtz and Jonas Hofmann on the flanks. Josip Stanisic, Exequiel Palacios, Granit Xhaka, and Alex Grimaldo offer a perfect blend of resilience and technical finesse in midfield.
The victor of this match will face the winner of the all-Italian quarter-final between AC Milan and Roma in the semi-finals. If West Ham progresses to the final, they will play as the away team in Dublin on May 22nd.
Prediction:
This tie is finely balanced. While West Ham’s experience in European competition could play a role, Leverkusen’s current form and home advantage make them slight favorites. Expect a cautious first leg with a narrow scoreline, possibly setting the stage for the return leg at London Stadium to decide the outcome.
Key Points to Watch:
- Can West Ham’s defense withstand Leverkusen’s attacking prowess?
- Will Michail Antonio recover in time to make an impact for the Hammers?
- How will Leverkusen handle the pressure of maintaining their unbeaten run?
This Europa League quarter-final promises an enthralling clash between two teams with contrasting strengths. The clash between West Ham’s seasoned experience and Leverkusen’s youthful exuberance guarantees a captivating spectacle, with the ultimate winner taking a significant step toward reaching the Europa League final in Dublin.
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