West Ham welcome Viborg to London Stadium in the first leg of their play-off in 2022-23 UEFA Europa Conference League.
David Moyes’ Hammers qualified for this round by finishing seventh in last season’s Premier League, whilst Viborg defeated B36 Torshavn in the Third Qualifying Round to qualify for this tie.
Stat Attack
Declan Rice is suspended for West Ham after he was handed a two-match ban in June after accusing referee – Jesus Gil Manzano of corruption in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final exit at Eintracht Frankfurt last season.
Craig Dawson (hamstring), Nayef Aguerd (ankle) and Angelo Ogbonna (knee) are ruled out.
New signing, Thilo Kehrer could make his debut if he is fit enough for selection, having just completed his transfer from PSG over 24 hours prior to kick-off.
Viborg have no fresh injury concerns to report but Ibrahim Said and Alassana Jatta are unable to travel for the first leg due to their failure to obtain a visa, due to rules for non-EU citizens.
Stat Attack
- This is West Ham’s first-ever meeting against Viborg in all competitions.
- Viborg are facing English opposition for the very first time in all competitions.
- West Ham are hosting Danish opposition for the first time in all competitions.
- West Ham are unbeaten in four of five Qualifying matches at home in all UEFA competitions (W3, D1, L1).
- Five of Viborg’s seven goals in Europa Conference League Qualifying have been scored after half-time.
Prediction
After two disappointing performances in their opening domestic matches, West Ham simply are lacking their final touch of last season because they’re still strong in attack amidst scrappy defending which was particularly evident in their defeat at Nottingham Forest last weekend.
Viborg therefore surely will look to try and target the Hammers’ vulnerable defence which is in a injury crisis but Said and Jatta’s absences will be felt in their attack.
This competition though is one which West Ham should look to take seriously given the potential for easier opposition than they faced in last season’s Europa League, so I expect them to come out and try to get the job done in this leg but Viborg won’t be any pushovers.
Prediction: West Ham 2-0 Viborg
Result: West Ham 3-1 Viborg