2021-22 UEFA Europa League Round of 16: First Leg – Sevilla vs West Ham

Sevilla welcome West Ham to Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie in 2021-22 UEFA Europa League.

Sevilla are looking to continue their quest for a seventh Europa League title, whereas West Ham enter the knockout stage for the first time after receiving a free pass to this round.

 

Team News

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Diego Carlos is a doubt for Sevilla after missing their goalless draw at Alaves on Friday evening due to a fitness issue.

Erik Lamela (shoulder), Karim Rekik (muscle), Papu Gomez and Anthony Martial (both unspecified) are doubts.

Thomas Delaney (suspension), Marcos Acuna (back), Suso (ankle), Fernando and Gonzalo Montiel (both unspecified) are set to miss this match.

West Ham could be without Jarrod Bowen after he suffered a right heel injury in Saturday’s league defeat at Liverpool.

Declan Rice (illness) and Andriy Yarmolenko (personal) could return but Vladimir Coufal (hernia) and Angelo Ogbonna (knee) remain ruled out.

 

Stat Attack

• This is Sevilla’s first-ever competitive meeting against West Ham in all competitions.
• Sevilla are unbeaten in five of their seven previous home matches against English in all UEFA competitions (W3, D2, L2).
• West Ham are winless in two previous away matches against Spanish opposition (D1, L1).
• Four of Sevilla’s seven home goals in Europe this season were scored by Ivan Rakitic and Lucas Ocampos who both found the net twice – with Rakitic’s two goals scored from penalty spot.
• David Moyes’ Hammers scored twice in each of their three away matches in the Group Stage this season.

 

Prediction

Despite their injury crisis, Sevilla shouldn’t be too disheartened coming into this game having lost just three games since early December and are unbeaten in their eight home matches, so are a team which West Ham can’t afford to underestimate at all costs.

West Ham shouldn’t be too disappointed with their defeat at Liverpool because they played well overall across the pitch, yet just didn’t have that final touch to make the difference but it was the ideal test for them coming into another difficult match.

It is therefore a tough match to call especially bearing the second leg in mind and Sevilla’s injury crisis but if West Ham find that extra quality and score first, they really need to kick on but a draw would put their destiny in their own hands at home in the second leg.

Prediction: Sevilla 1-1 West Ham

Result: Sevilla 1-0 West Ham