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  • West Ham Vs Lyon News: Hammers Could Have Edge In Boisterous Home Leg

West Ham vs Lyon news: Hammers could have edge in boisterous home leg

David Moyes’ West Ham arrive for their Europa League quarter-final clash on the crest of a wave, but they'll have to be at their best to overcome European regulars Lyon.

West Ham stayed in the hunt for European qualification next season after a 2-1 home win over 10-man Everton on Sunday, thanks to Aaron Cresswell's superb free-kick and Jarrod Bowen's ninth Premier League goal of the season.

Moyes' men shocked European football by dispatching hotly-fancied Sevilla in the round of 16, and then danced the night away at the London Stadium like they'd won the tournament. But who would begrudge them a little celebration.

But the Europa League draw has not been kind to the Irons, if they can secure victory over Lyon there's a potential semi-final clash with Barcelona, the favourites for the trophy, waiting in the wings.

If they win the Europa League, it will be their first major European trophy since lifting the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1965 and would secure a Champions League spot, regardless of their final Premier League position.

When: Thursday, April 7, 20:00 BST

Where: London Stadium

How to watch: BT Sport 1

Who is the ref for West Ham vs Lyon?

German Felix Zwayer has been appointed for Thursday evening's game, his third Europa League outing of the campaign.
He has awarded nine yellows and one red in his previous two Europa League matches. But has yet to dish out a straight red all season.
In his last Bundesliga match, Zwayer awarded home side Mainz three penalties, as they ran out 4-0 winners against Arminia Bielefeld.

Recent Form

West Ham returned from the international break with a 2-1 home win over Everton, their third win in four games, including the second-leg victory over Sevilla in the Round of 16.
They have been a bit leaky at the back though, conceding in five of their last six games in all competitions.
Lyon sit ninth in Ligue 1 after a disappointing league campaign, but they are yet to lose in the Europa League, winning six of eight games.
They go into the game on the back of a 3-2 win against Angers, although that was Lyon's first win after three without a victory.
Lyon were a cut above in their group, winning their first five games and drawing with Rangers in their final match.

West Ham players in form

Jarrod Bowen marked his return to action after a fractured foot with a well taken goal and remains the home side's most potent attacking threat.

Bowen has been involved in 17 Premier League goals this season, with only Mohamed Salah (30) and Son Heung-Min (18) contributing more across the Premier League.

Talisman Declan Rice holds the key to a contested midfield battle and will come up against Tanguy Ndombele and Houssem Aoua. Fortunately, Rice's partner in the middle, Tomas Soucek, is getting back to some kind of goalscoring form, perhaps it's something to do with all the bandages he has strapped around his forehead.

For Lyon, plenty of eyes will be on Cameroonian striker Karl Toko Ekambi, whose six goals put him joint top scorer in the competition this season.
Keep an eye on new signing Tete, on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk, who scored in his first appearance for the French side in their 3-2 win over Angers.

Last three meetings

West Ham and Lyon will meet for the first time in Europe. West Ham's only previous tussle with French opposition in any European competition came in 1999 against Metz, when they jointly won the UEFA Intertoto Cup.
Lyon are currently unbeaten in six matches against English sides, winning four, with two wins each coming against Everton and Manchester City. Most recently eliminating Pep Guardiola's City in the quarter finals of the Champions League in 2019/20.

Past meetings

Lyon's record in 21 previous UEFA matches against English opposition is:
Won: 7
Draw: 8

Lost: 6

Manager's thoughts

David Moyes, West Ham United, transfer zone
David Moyes: "It's a big, big thing for us. There's two legs you know, so we'll have the game Thursday and then obviously the following Thursday.
"The boys know that if we want to be successful then we have to play as well as we did against Sevilla here to beat Lyon and get through. And I think we're more than capable… But if we're not careful it (the tie) could go away (from us) so we've got to be careful and keep focused.
"At the moment hopefully we've got most players who have come through (the Everton game) ok, Jarrod (Bowen) included… I've said to them there, that's just the starter now we got a main course coming up as far as football goes in midweek.
"We have to be ready. We have to be sharper; we have to be a bit quicker, play a bit better, take our chances, defend a bit better than we did at times (against Everton)."

Predicted West Ham vs Lyon teams

Alphonse Areola, West Ham, Europa League

Moyes played close to his strongest 11 against Everton but Europa League regular Alphonse Areola should return in goal in place of Lukasz Fabianski.

Nikola Vlasic or Andriy Yarmolenko could come into the line-up, but Bowen, Michail Antonio, Pablo Fornals and Said Benrahma are the most likely to start as West Ham's main attacking threat. Manuel Lanzini is out due to suspension.

Vladimir Coufal is working his way back to fitness after a hernia operation, but Ryan Fredericks should keep his place at right-back.

Possible West Ham Line-Up: Areola; Fredericks, Dawson, Zouma, Cresswell; Soucek, Rice, Bowen, Benrahma, Fornals; Antonio.

Possible Lyon line-up: Lopes; Gusto, Lukeba, Boateng, Emerson; Mendes, Ndombele, Tete, Paqueta, Aouar; Dembele.

West Ham vs Lyon prediction

West Ham are slight favourites for this tie, in spite of their inexperience. Lyon's season-long patchy form contributing against them in this respect.

Moyes may revert to his more cautious 5-2-3 formation for this tie as he looks to solve his side's recent leaky defence.

The Hammers' frontline should have too much for Lyon's veteran rear-guard, and a 2-1 home win is the most likely outcome as Lyon are free scoring but poor against the ball.

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