Leverkusen holds a commanding lead after their dominant 2-0 victory in the first leg, and they will be eager to seal their progress after being officially crowned Bundesliga champions over the weekend.
Thursday's Europa League clash between West Ham and Bayer Leverkusen at the London Stadium promises to be a thrilling encounter as both teams battle for supremacy in the competition.
The first leg encounter was an intense affair, with Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen side pushing relentlessly for a breakthrough before Jonas Hofmann's late strike opened the scoring. Viktor Okoh Boniface then sealed the win with a late goal, leaving West Ham with a mountain to climb in the second leg.
Full focus on Thursday's @EuropaLeague tie 👊 pic.twitter.com/zoStrQ2CRp— West Ham United (@WestHam) April 16, 2024
Full focus on Thursday's @EuropaLeague tie 👊 pic.twitter.com/zoStrQ2CRp
West Ham's struggles continue as they suffered another setback in the Premier League, losing to Fulham with the same 2-0 scoreline.
Their inability to find the back of the net in consecutive fixtures raises concerns for manager David Moyes, who must address defensive vulnerabilities that have seen his side concede 11 goals in their last six matches across all competitions.
Despite their recent woes, West Ham will be buoyed by the home support as they aim to overturn the deficit.
Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen comes into the match brimming with confidence after clinching their first Bundesliga title with a resounding 5-0 win over Werder Bremen.
Viktor Boniface and wonderkid Florian Wirtz starred in the triumph, further fueling Leverkusen's aspirations for success on the European stage.
Under Xabi Alonso's guidance, Leverkusen remains unbeaten in 15 of their last 16 Europa League matches, showcasing their pedigree in continental competitions.
In terms of team news, West Ham faces absences with key figures Alphonse Areola, Jarrod Bowen, and Kalvin Philips sidelined, while Lucas Paqueta and Emerson Palmieri serve suspensions.
Leverkusen, on the other hand, has only Adam Hložek on the injury list.
Forebet predicts another dominant win for Bayer Leverkusen, echoing the scenario from the first leg and underlining their credentials as serious contenders in the Europa League.