West Ham staged an impressive comeback in the second leg against Freiburg to secure their spot in the last eight, while Bayer Leverkusen had a dramatic victory over Qarabag in the previous round.
Leverkusen has been in sensational form throughout the 2023-24 season, remaining undefeated in all 41 matches played so far. Their resilience was evident in the last-16 clash against Qarabag, where they mounted a stunning comeback from a two-goal deficit to win 3-2.
With a six-match winning streak underway, Leverkusen is on the brink of clinching the Bundesliga title and has also booked a spot in the DFB-Pokal final. Their dominance at home in the Europa League has been remarkable, winning all four games and scoring at least three goals each time.
On the other hand, West Ham experienced a setback in their first-leg match against Freiburg but bounced back strongly in the second leg with a convincing 5-0 victory. While they have shown improvement in European competitions over the years, they will face a tough challenge against Leverkusen.
Although West Ham managed to return to winning ways in the Premier League with a 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, they'll need to be at their best to compete against Leverkusen.
This matchup will be the first competitive meeting between Leverkusen and West Ham, but Leverkusen dominated in a pre-season friendly with a 4-0 win. West Ham will need a strong performance to keep their hopes of advancing alive, as Leverkusen's formidable form poses a significant threat to their ambitions of European success.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Leverkusen's recent win against Union Berlin wasn't without its setbacks for Alonso. The loss of Adam Hlozek to an ankle injury in the first half and Nathan Tella's hip issue in the second period put a damper on the day.Hlozek is expected to be sidelined for a few weeks, ruling him out for both legs of the quarter-final, while Tella's situation remains uncertain. The talented Frimpong is likely to step in for Tella, though Brazilian Arthur is also an option if he's fit.
However, Leverkusen has alternatives with Schick and Victor Boniface available. Boniface returned to action for the first time since December, but he might not be ready for a starting role yet.
Meanwhile, Moyes can relate to Alonso's attacking injury concerns. West Ham is facing their own challenges, with Jarrod Bowen forced off early in their win over Wolves due to what appears to be a severe spinal bruise. Bowen's chances of playing on Thursday seem slim. Additionally, Alphonse Areola is out with a groin injury, and Edson Alvarez is suspended.
To cover for Alvarez's absence, Moyes might consider bringing in Kalvin Phillips, though the loanee from Manchester City hasn't had the best start at West Ham. Alternatively, Moyes could opt for a three-man backline.
With Bowen likely unavailable, Antonio may step in as the focal point of West Ham's attack. Czech duo Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek are expected to retain their roles despite being substituted at halftime against Wolves.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Bayer Leverkusen possible starting lineup:Hradecky; Kossounou, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Xhaka, Andrich, Grimaldo; Wirtz, Adli; Schick
West Ham United possible starting lineup:
Fabianski; Coufal, Zouma, Mavropanos; Johnson, Soucek, Ward-Prowse, Emerson; Kudus, Paqueta; Antonio
EXPERT PREDICTION
Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 West Ham
While Alonso's team may have their sights set on potentially clinching the Bundesliga title this weekend, they shouldn't underestimate a West Ham squad still seeking their first away clean sheet of 2024. We believe the hosts will handle the task at hand and secure a comfortable lead before next week's clash in London.
