Prediction: West Ham vs Olympiacos

Verdict: West Ham win

Best Odds: 2/3

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Looking to claim a Europa League boost on Thursday night, West Ham will welcome Olympiacos to the London Stadium.

West Ham

Starting with the hosts, making an immediate return to losing ways over the weekend as they eventually slumped to a 3-2 loss at the hands of Brentford, West Ham find themselves in the midst of an extended struggle. While David Moyes’ men might have come flying out of the traps when opening up the 2023/24 campaign, the former Manchester United boss finds mounting pressure on his shoulders. Slipping out the top-half of the Premier League table, the Hammers have lost four of their previous five appearances across all formats. Signing off October with a worrying 1-0 defeat against Everton, West Ham have the feel of a squad seeking a much-needed boost. Nevertheless, making real history last season as they got their hands on a maiden Europa Conference League crown, it is worth noting that Moyes’ side have lost just one of their last six showdowns at the London Stadium.

Team News

While both Edson Alvarez and Lucas Paqueta might have served respective domestic suspensions over the weekend, the duo will make a full return on Thursday night. However, the Hammers are expected to be without skipper and defensive talisman Kurt Zouma here.

Bagging what turned out to be a consolation strike away at Brentford on Saturday afternoon, the red-hot Jarrod Bowen will have a key role to play in midweek. The England international should be joined in the final third by summer recruit Mohamed Kudus.

Olympiacos

As for the visitors, putting in a stellar performance on home soil a fortnight ago as they secured a 2-1 victory against the Hammers, Olympiacos will certainly be seeking a repeat performance here. However, while the Greek giants might have their sights set on punching a Europa League knockout stage ticket this season, Diego Martinez’s men failed to pick up some crucial momentum over the weekend. Putting in a nightmare display at the Karaiskakis Stadium as they eventually fell to an action-packed 4-2 loss against PAOK, Olympiacos do hold a worrying European record on foreign soil. In fact, Thursday’s guests have won just one of their last 11 Europa League showdowns on their travels within 90 minutes – a run that stems all the way back to September 2021.

Team News

Still yet to make a single appearance since arriving from Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan deal, Olympiacos will once again be without the services of Omar Richards here. Likewise, Martinez will also be unable to call upon the likes of Bandiougou Fadiga, Doron Leidner and Athanasios Androutsos on Thursday night.

Finding the net against West Ham last weekend and registering back-to-back strikes, attacking talisman Konstantinos Fortounis will have another leading role to play in east London. The 31-year-old will be joined in the final third by former Wolves star Daniel Podence.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met for their reverse Europa League showdown a fortnight ago, Olympiacos picked up a 2-1 victory on home soil.
• However, the Greek giants have won just one of their last 11 Europa League showdowns on their travels within 90 minutes – a run that stems all the way back to September 2021.
• Including a 3-2 loss away at Brentford over the weekend, West Ham have lost four of their last five appearances across all formats.
• However, the Hammers have lost just one of their previous six contests at the London Stadium.
• England international Jarrod Bowen has scored eight goals across all competitions so far this season.

Conclusion

Hit with a 2-1 loss when they travelled out to Greece a fortnight ago, West Ham will certainly be seeking an immediate Europa League response here. Losing four of their previous five appearances across all formats, the Hammers will be excited to make a return to the London Stadium on Thursday night. With the feel of a squad seeking a much-welcomed boost and pressure really mounting on Moyes’ shoulders, the Premier League outfit have lost just one of their previous six contests in front of their own supporters. Hoping to make a statement of intent in midweek, we are expecting what could be an enjoyable home victory.

Verdict: West Ham win

Best Odds: 2/3

Bookmaker: Olympusbet