Prediction: West Ham vs AZ Alkmaar

Verdict: Both teams to score – No

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to claim a crucial Conference League semi-final advantage on Thursday night, West Ham will welcome AZ Alkmaar to the London Stadium.

West Ham

Starting with the hosts, drawing a line under their three-match losing run with a thumping display over the weekend, West Ham will now have all of their eggs in the Conference League basket. Eventually claiming a 1-0 victory at home against Manchester United, David Moyes’ men have all but extended on their Premier League status. While the Hammers might have shown some extended domestic issues this season, the ex-Everton boss has seen his side once again shine on the European stage. Now securing back-to-back European semi-final spots, West Ham should also be excited by a largely impressive record on home soil. Last seen at the London Stadium a few days ago securing that 1-0 win against the former Premier League champions, Thursday’s hosts have lost just a pair of their previous 11 appearances in east London – a run that stems all the way back to December 30th.

Team News

Still dealing with an extended knee injury and yet to make a single appearance since the middle of March, Italian international Gianluca Scamacca will once again miss out here. Likewise, neither Kurt Zouma or Vladimir Coufal will feature on Thursday night.

Recording five goals in his previous six appearances across all competitions, 33-year-old Michail Antonio will once again spearhead Moyes’ attack at the London Stadium.

AZ Alkmaar

As for the visitors, while AZ Alkmaar might have shown some extended struggles when returning from March’s international break, Pascal Jansen’s side have bounced back in some style. Last seen over the weekend putting in another rugged display as they claimed an eye-catching 0-0 stalemate away at Dutch giants Ajax, the Cheeseheads will travel to east London confident of springing another Conference League upset. Now unbeaten in each of their last four appearances across all competitions, the midweek guests also made real history on Match 16th as they edged past Italian icons Lazio thanks to a stunning 4-2 aggregate victory. Likewise, signing off April with a routine 3-0 romp at home against Waalwijk, Jansen’s side have not conceded a single strike in almost 400 minutes of action. Despite being tipped as a real underdog pick on Thursday night, the mood in Alkmaar’s camp should be at a real high.

Team News

All still dealing with extended injury issues, AZ Alkmaar will travel to east London on Thursday night without the likes of Jesper Karlsson, Dani de Wit, Bruno Martins Indi and Sem Westerveld in midweek.

Returning from a brief knock away at Ajax last weekend, 24-year-old Vangelis Pavlidis should keep his place in attack here. Impressing since making the move to Holland back in January, former Brighton goalkeeper Matthew Ryan will once again start between the sticks here.

Key Factors to Consider

• West Ham’s 1-0 victory against Manchester United over the weekend drew a line under their three-match Premier League winless run.
• However, the Hammers have lost just a pair of their last 11 appearances at the London Stadium – a run that stems back to December 30th.
• AZ Alkmaar are unbeaten in each of their last four domestic appearances across all competitions.
• Likewise, Thursday’s guests have not conceded a single goal in almost 400 minutes of action.
• West Ham striker Michail Antonio has scored five goals in his last six appearances.

Conclusion

While West Ham might open Thursday’s semi-final showdown tipped as a standout pick, the Hammers will know that they should face a real test here. Despite losing just a pair of their last 11 appearances at the London Stadium – a run that stems back to December 30th – Moyes’ men will meet an Alkmaar squad who are enjoying an extended flurry. Snatching a rugged 0-0 stalemate away at Dutch icons Ajax over the weekend, the Cheeseheads are unbeaten in each of their last four outings and they have continued to gain plenty of praise for their defensive resolve. Not shipping a single strike in almost 400 minutes of action, we could be in for a nervy affair in midweek.

Verdict: Both teams to score – No

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Unibet