Anderlecht host West Ham on Thursday night in the Europa League with first place in Group B on the line.
The Hammers go into matchday No. 3 of the Europa League atop the group with six points from two games. David Moyes’ team came from behind against FCSB to win 3-1 on matchday No. 1 and defeated Denmark’s Silkeborg on matchday No. 2 by a 3-2 score.
"Absolute belter!" 🚀 ⏪ Throwback to our last game in the #UECL pic.twitter.com/M4NljDUU16— West Ham United (@WestHam) October 5, 2022
"Absolute belter!" 🚀 ⏪ Throwback to our last game in the #UECL pic.twitter.com/M4NljDUU16
West Ham have had a start-stop season, but results in the Conference League have been good thus far. The Hammers won three of their last four matches in all competitions, and they will fancy a win at Anderlecht.
Anderlecht have experienced a similar start-stop season. The club is coming off a 1-0 loss to Sporting Charleroi at home at the weekend. Just two of Anderlecht’s last nine games in all competitions finished as wins.
Despite their poor form domestically, Anderlecht are playing well in the Europa Conference League. They picked up four points from their opening two matches. A 1-0 home win against Silkeborg was followed by a nil-nil draw away versus FCSB.
Anderlecht are led in goals by Fabio Silva with five in all competitions. Silva cost Wolverhampton Wanderers £37 million just a few seasons ago. The striker struggled to score goals and get playing time in the Premier League.
Silva was loaned to Anderlecht for the season where he has played well. One of his five goals have come in the Europa Conference League.
West Ham’s dangermen are Jarrod Bowen, Gianluca Scamacca, and Michail Antonio. The trio has tallied six goals with each scoring twice.
Scamacca has got plenty of Europa Conference League playing time, but Moyes has kept playing favourites. Antonio could get the start in attack instead.
Moyes has three players that will most likely remain in London due to injuries. Forward Maxwel Cornet has a thigh injury and is out until the end of the month. Defenders Ben Johnson is a doubt due to a hamstring, and Nayef Aguerd is unlikely to return until the middle of October.
Anderlecht coach Felice Mazzu has two names on the team’s injury list. Forward Benito Raman is a doubt with an ankle injury. Midfield Adrien Trebel has a should injury that will likely keep him from playing.
West ham are rolling in the Conference League, but so are Anderlecht. The fixture should be close and cagey, with West Ham pulling out a 1-0 win at full-time.