In the first showdown last week, the newly crowned German champions effortlessly defeated David Moyes's squad 2-0. Despite a valiant effort from West Ham's goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, who made an impressive nine saves, Bayer Leverkusen's relentless pressure eventually broke through with late goals from substitutes Jonas Hofmann and Victor Boniface.
While Leverkusen's relentless attack couldn't penetrate West Ham's defense initially, their persistence paid off in the end, securing a well-deserved victory with an astonishing 33 shots on goal.
West Ham, on the other hand, faced an unprecedented number of attempts, reminiscent of their last-16 first-leg loss to Freiburg earlier in 2024, which they famously overturned with a 5-0 win at home.
However, recent form suggests West Ham might struggle to replicate such a comeback, especially after a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Fulham, where Fabianski's heroics prevented a more significant loss. With just one win in their last six matches and a poor home record in 2024, West Ham faces an uphill battle against the formidable Bayer Leverkusen.
Leverkusen's recent Bundesliga triumph, clinched with a commanding 5-0 win over Werder Bremen, solidifies their status as a dominant force in European football. Under the leadership of Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen aims to maintain their unbeaten record in the current season and continue their impressive run of victories.
Despite their remarkable home record in continental matches, West Ham faces a daunting task against Leverkusen's relentless momentum. A defeat would mean missing out on a blockbuster semi-final clash with Roma or AC Milan, further highlighting the high stakes of this encounter.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
West Ham's recent Premier League defeat against Fulham was marred by a concerning injury to 19-year-old George Earthy, who made his top-flight debut but had to be substituted off after just eight minutes due to a collision with teammate Edson Alvarez.Thankfully, Earthy has been discharged from the hospital, but he's expected to miss Thursday's game, joining Kalvin Phillips, Alphonse Areola, and Jarrod Bowen on the sidelines. Bowen's absence, in particular, is crucial due to his ongoing back problem.
Additionally, West Ham manager David Moyes faces further setbacks with Lucas Paqueta and Emerson Palmieri suspended, and doubts over Dinos Mavropanos's fitness after he failed to complete recent matches.
On the other hand, Bayer Leverkusen has fewer concerns, with only striker Adam Hlozek likely to be sidelined due to an ankle issue. However, Leverkusen boasts depth, with players like Patrik Schick and Florian Wirtz ready to step up.
Manager Xabi Alonso has a wealth of options at his disposal, with Jeremie Frimpong and Alejandro Grimaldo expected to return to the starting lineup, and Exequiel Palacios potentially replacing Robert Andrich in midfield.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
West Ham United possible starting lineup:Fabianski; Zouma, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Coufal, Alvarez, Soucek, Ward-Prowse, Johnson; Kudus, Antonio
Bayer Leverkusen possible starting lineup:
Hradecky; Kossounou, Tah, Stanisic; Frimpong, Xhaka, Palacios, Grimaldo; Wirtz, Adli; Boniface
EXPERT PREDICTION
West Ham 2-4 Bayer Leverkusen
The celebrations from their recent title win may have left Bayer Leverkusen feeling a bit drained as they head to the London Stadium. However, with almost a full squad available and plenty of options for rotation, they pose a significant threat to a depleted West Ham team.
Struggling to defend against opponents and missing key player Jarrod Bowen, West Ham's European journey seems likely to come to a disappointing end. Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen remains determined to pursue success on both the domestic and European fronts, making them a formidable force to contend with.