Prediction: West Ham vs Anderlecht

Verdict: West Ham win

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to move one step closer to the knockout stage on Thursday night, West Ham will welcome Anderlecht to the London Stadium.

West Ham

Starting with the hosts, while West Ham might have opened the 2022/23 campaign in the midst of a worrying run of form, it appears that the Hammers have put those issues behind them. Last seen over the weekend mounting a comeback on home soil as they picked up a 3-1 victory against Premier League returners Fulham, David Moyes’ men have begun to push their way up the top-flight standings. Really breaking the bank this summer, the former Manchester United boss has seen his side enjoy an eye-catching boost since returning from September’s international break. Impressing many as they reached the semi-finals of last season’s Europa League, Thursday’s hosts have now won each of their last three matchups across all formats. Sat in pole position to extend on their Conference League adventure this year, the Hammers have also won each of their first three Group B showdowns by an aggregate score of 7-3.

Team News

Coming off the bench and finding the net against Fulham over the weekend, Michail Antonio should lead West Ham’s charge on Thursday night. The likes of Saïd Benrahma, Flynn Downes, Vladimír Coufal and Angelo Ogbonna could also make their returns at the London Stadium.

However, still dealing with a long-term ankle injury, Moyes’ side will be without central defender Nayef Aguerd here.

Anderlecht

As for the visitors, while Anderlecht might have put in a gritty display on home soil last week, Felice Mazzu’s men were eventually hit with a hard-fought 1-0 loss. Now knowing that they face a real uphill struggle if they’re to clinch top spot in Group B, the Purples have largely struggled with their consistency since opening the 2022/23 campaign. Although the Belgium giants might have picked up a 3-1 victory away at Mechelen last weekend, the one-time Genk boss has seen his side win just a trio of their previous 10 matchups across all formats. Last seen on Conference League duties away from the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium having to settle for a 0-0 stalemate away at FCSB, Anderlecht have also picked up just a single win on the road since August 18th. Suffering that 1-0 defeat when they faced off against the Hammers last week, Mazzu’s side should be bracing themselves for a tough test.

Team News

Bagging an impressive brace in Anderlecht’s 3-1 victory away at Mechelen last weekend, 18-year-old Mario Stroeykens will be hoping for a start on Thursday night.

Likewise, enjoying what has been an enjoyable loan move from Wolves this season, Fabio Silva should once again lead Mazzu’s charge in east London.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides faced off at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium last week, West Ham picked up a 1-0 victory on foreign soil.
• The Hammers have won each of their opening three Conference League matchups by an aggregate score of 7-3.
• Thursday’s hosts have also won five of their previous six matchups across all formats.
• Anderlecht have managed to muster just a trio of wins from any of their last 10 appearances across all formats.
• Italian international Gianluca Scamacca has scored in each of his last three appearances since returning from September’s international break.

Conclusion

Managing to snatch a late 1-0 victory on foreign soil last week, West Ham appear to be enjoying an eye-catching purple patch since returning from September’s international break. Along with winning five of their last six outings, the Hammers have also won each of their previous three appearances and appear to be cruising to the knockout stage of this year’s Europa League. Collecting nine points from their opening three Group B outings, Moyes’ men will simply be looking to extend on their European charge on Thursday night. While Anderlecht might have made a much-welcomed return to winning ways away at Mechelen last weekend, the Purples should face another tough test here. With West Ham picking up a 1-0 win when they made the trip to Belgium seven days ago, we’re backing a similar outcome at the London Stadium.

Verdict: West Ham win

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Unibet