Rapid Vienna v West Ham predictions: Defences may come out on top

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Rapid Vienna v West Ham in the Europa League on Thursday.

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, 5.45pm Thursday

Best bet

Under 2.5 goals
1pt 5-4 BoyleSports

Match preview

West Ham clinched a place in the Europa League knockout stages with two games to spare and it would be understandable if standards drop a little when they take on Group H basement boys Rapid Vienna in the Austrian capital.

The Hammers may still need another two points to clinch top sport but David Moyes's focus is likely to be on Sunday's trip to Manchester City as he seeks to avoid a second successive Premier League defeat.

Several changes are likely to be made and West Ham are unlikely to carry as much of a threat as they have on previous Europa League nights.

Facing an under-strength Hammers side will be an advantage to Rapid, but the Austrians are carrying a lot of injuries and may struggle to get too many sights of Alphonse Areola's goal.

A tight, scrappy game is on the cards and under 2.5 goals looks the way to profit at odds-against.

Key stat

Five of West Ham's last eight away games have featured fewer than three goals.

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