West Ham face a difficult first leg encounter against Lyon in their Quarter-Final tie of 2021-22 UEFA Europa League.
West Ham stunned six-time champions Sevilla to qualify for this stage whilst Lyon battled past Porto to advance from their Round of 16 tie.
Team News
Ben Johnson is a doubt for West Ham after missing Sunday’s Premier League win over Everton with a hamstring injury.
Manuel Lanzini (suspension) will miss this first leg encounter but Angelo Ogbonna (knee) remains absent.
Lyon could be without Karl Toko Ekambi after he missed their Ligue 1 win against Angers through illness.
Maxence Caqueret (knee) is a doubt but Sinaly Diomande (ankle), Mathis Rayan Cherki (foot) and Lenny Pintor (knee) remain ruled out.
Stat Attack
- This is West Ham’s first-ever tie against Lyon in all competitions.
- Lyon are visiting West Ham for the very first time in all competitions.
- West Ham lost their only previous home match against French opposition – losing 1-0 to Metz in 1999 UEFA Intertoto Cup but prevailed 3-1 away to win 3-2 on aggregate.
- West Ham have kept just one clean sheet in their last seven matches in all competitions (W3, L4), which came in their 2-0 second leg win over Sevilla in Round of 16.
- Lyon are unbeaten in three of their last five away matches against English opposition (W3, L2), with their last four matches finishing 2-1 of which they won three of those matches (W3, L1).
Prediction
Having adopted an aggressive attacking style in Sunday’s win over Everton, West Ham should come into this game full of confidence after two clinical goals and excellent movement, although their set piece defending will be crucial after giving away a sloppy goal via deflection.
Lyon meanwhile are unbeaten on the road in Europe this season but if Ekambi is absent, they could have a slight issue up front unless Islam Slimani and Moussa Dembele step up their game, which could well suit West Ham if that is the case.
I however do expect Lyon to provide West Ham with a difficult game defensively despite keeping just two clean sheets in their last eight matches across all competitions, although the Hammers should win this in front of an electric home crowd if they deliver another clinical attacking effort.
Prediction: West Ham 2-1 Lyon
Result: West Ham 1-1 Lyon