2023-24 UEFA Europa League: Group Stage – West Ham vs Olympiacos

West Ham welcome Olympiacos to London Stadium in Group A of 2023-24 UEFA Europa League.

Victory will see West Ham stay top of Group A, whilst Olympicaos can go top with a win if SC Freiburg lose elsewhere.

 

Team News

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Kurt Zouma is a doubt for West Ham after he missed their last two matches with a knock.

Edson Alvarez and Lucas Paqueta could both return after they missed the Hammers’ Premier League loss at Brentford, due to suspension.

Olympiacos have no fresh injury concerns to report coming into this match, following their domestic loss to PAOK Salonika last weekend.

 

When is Kick-Off?

West Ham host Olympiacos at London Stadium at 8pm on Thursday 9 November, live on TNT Sport 1 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• West Ham are unbeaten in two of three previous meetings against Olympiacos in all competitions (W1, D1, L1).
• Olympiacos are visiting West Ham at the London Stadium for the first time, but lost 4-0 when visited Upton Park in November 1965.
• Lucas Paqueta has scored in each of West Ham’s last two group matches.
• Olympiacos have scored first in each of their last two group matches.

 

Prediction

Having initially hit a brief rut after last month’s international break, West Ham certainly have found their attacking groove again and did well to fight back at Brentford with clinical goals, yet two second-half defensive errors cost them at least a draw.

Olympiacos meanwhile delivered an effective display to beat West Ham a fortnight ago and will need to deliver a similar performance here, especially in terms of keeping things tight defensively whilst clinically converting their chances if want to keep pace in the race for a knockout spot.

Now if West Ham can play with the same energy and quality but tighten up at the back then this might just be a tough test for Olympiacos, with the Greeks unbeaten in their last five away European games so clinical finishing will be vital to the result.

A draw though will be a fair outcome if this game is as tight as it could well turn out to be.

Prediction: West Ham 1-1 Olympiacos

Result: West Ham 1-0 Olympiacos