2022-23 UEFA Europa Conference League Round of 16: Second Leg – West Ham vs AEK Larnaca

West Ham welcome AEK Larnaca to London Stadium in second leg of their Round of 16 tie in 2022-23 UEFA Europa Conference League.

With a 2-0 lead from the first leg, West Ham know that a victory or draw would see them advance although a 1-0 defeat would also be enough.

AEK Larnaca meanwhile must win if they want to advance or score at least twice to take the tie to extra-time then potentially penalties.

 

Team News

Michail Antonio is a doubt for West Ham after he missed their 1-1 draw in the Premier League against Aston Villa last weekend due to a calf injury, which he had suffered in the first leg of this tie.

Lukasz Fabianski (eye/cheekbone) and Vladimir Coufal (heel) both remain absent.

AEK Larnaca will welcome Angel Garcia and Pere Pons back from suspension.

Bruno Gama (Achilles), Andreas Paraskevas (knee), Artem Gromov and Milos Gordic (both unspecified) are ruled out.

 

When is Kick-Off?

West Ham host AEK Larnaca at London Stadium on Thursday 16 March at 8pm GMT, live on BT Sport 3 in UK.

 

Stat Attack

• West Ham won their only previous meeting against AEK Larnaca, as they prevailed 2-0 in the first leg away from home.
• AEK Larnaca are visiting West Ham’s London Stadium for the very first time in all competitions.
• This is West Ham’s first-ever home match against Cypriot opposition in all UEFA competitions.
• West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen has scored in each of his last three home appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League (W3).
• AEK Larnaca are unbeaten in three of their last four away matches in all UEFA competitions (W1, D2, L1).

 

Prediction

Entering this leg with a 2-0 aggregate lead, West Ham have this tie in their own hands but they will have to start better defensively than they did against Villa, yet they were lucky to snatch a draw through a fortunate penalty despite improving throughout amidst wasteful finishing.

AEK Larnaca however were no pushovers in the first leg but wasted their chances unlike the Hammers and now face a tricky visit to East London, where they simply have to score first to give themselves any hope of winning this tie.

West Ham though aren’t in action this coming weekend so I do expect them to tackle this match head-on in search of momentum, which should hopefully see them come through with a win.

Prediction: West Ham 2-0 AEK Larnaca

Result: West Ham 4-0 AEK Larnaca (West Ham win 6-0 on aggregate!!)