Prediction: Anderlecht vs West Ham United

Prediction: West Ham United to win 2-1

Best Odds: 15/2

Bookmaker: Betfair

Anderlecht and West Ham United will face each other in the UEFA Europa Conference League this week. The Group B match between the Belgian club and the Premier League outfit will be held at Anderlecht Stadium in Brussel and is scheduled to kick off at 5:45pm UK time on Thursday.

Anderlecht

Anderlecht are one of the biggest clubs in Belgium, but they did not do particularly well last season. The Purple & White ended up only third in the Belgian First Division and will be determined to do much this time around.

Felice Mazzu’s side are really struggling in the Belgian league at the moment. They have picked up only 13 points from 10 matches. Anderlecht are as many as 14 points behind leaders Antwerp and only four points above the relegation zone.

Anderlecht, though, are doing relatively well in the UEFA Europa Conference League at the moment. They are currently second in Group B with four points from two matches,  two points behind leaders West Ham United and three points clear of third-placed FCSB.

Team News:

Inter Milan loanee Sebastiano Espositio could start for Anderlecht, while former AS Roma man Amadou Diawara could return in central midfield.

West Ham United

West Ham United did well in the Premier League last season. The Hammers ended up as high as seventh in the league standings with 56 points from 38 matches, and the London club will be determined to do as well, if not better, this time around as well.

However, things are not going that well for David Moyes’s side at the moment. West Ham are currently 15th in the Premier League table with seven points from eight matches, only a point above the relegation zone.

West Ham, though, are doing well in the UEFA Europa Conference League at the moment and could end up winning Group B. The London Stadium outfit are at the top of the group with six points from two matches, two points above second-placed Anderlecht.

Team News:

Michail Antonio is likely to lead the line for West Ham United against Anderlecht. Angelo Ogbonna could also start in central defence.  Vladimir Coufal, Emerson Palmieri, Pablo Fornals, Manuel Lanzini and Said Benrahma all could start as well.

Key Factors to Consider

• Anderlecht have won 5 of their last 6 UEFA Europa Conference League games.
• Anderlecht have won 2 of their last 6 competitive games.
• West Ham United have won 4 of their last 4 UEFA Europa Conference League matches.
• West Ham United have lost 2 of their last 6 competitive games.
• West Ham United have drawn 1 of heir last 6 competitive matches.

Conclusion

Playing at home will give Anderlecht an advantage against West Ham United, and the Belgian club will be determined to at least pick up a point from the encounter. However, it is likely that West Ham will eke out a narrow win from the match.

Prediction: West Ham United to win 2-1

Best Odds: 15/2

Bookmaker: Betfair