Sevilla v West Ham predictions: Hammers can frustrate Europa League specialists

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Sevilla v West Ham in the Europa League round of 16, first leg on Thursday.

Where to watch

BT Sport 3, 5.45pm Thursday

Best bet

Draw
1pt 9-4 bet365, BoyleSports

Team news

Sevilla
Injured trio Suso, Karim Rekik, Erik Lamela and Alejandro Gomez remain sidelined and Thomas Delaney is suspended but Anthony Martial could return to the squad. Marcos Acuna was forced off during Saturday's 0-0 draw at Alaves and Diego Carlos missed out entirely. Both are doubts.

West Ham
Jarrod Bowen is likely to miss out and Angelo Ogbonna and Vladimir Coufal remain sidelined. Declan Rice is a doubt.

Match preview

Sevilla are the most successful team in Europa League history, lifting the trophy on six occasions, but they could be held to a frustrating draw when taking on West Ham in their round-of-16 first-leg clash in Spain.

All of Sevilla's Europa League successes have come in the last 16 years and the most recent was in 2020, when they triumphed 3-2 over Inter in the final.

Eight of the players who started against Inter remain with the club but there are a few selection concerns for head coach Julen Lopetegui, who is likely to be without several senior players.

Defender Karim Rekik, striker Anthony Martial and attacking midfielders Erik Lamela and Alejandro Gomez have all been injured since the end of February and they appear to have been joined by central defender Diego Carlos, who missed Saturday's disappointing 0-0 draw with Alaves.

Left-back Marcos Acuna was forced off during the weekend encounter and there is a gap to to fill in midfield with Thomas Delaney serving a one-game ban.

Sevilla have a decent squad, are second in La Liga and have not lost a league match since a November 2-1 defeat at leaders Real Madrid.

But they are likely to be weaker for the first leg against West Ham than next Thursday's return match at the London Stadium when Delaney will be free from suspension and Martial, who recently resumed full training, could be ready to start.

West Ham may sense an opportunity and are sure to give their all in a competition, which offers their last chance of winning some silverware.

David Moyes will probably go as strong as he can, but he is likely to be without Jarrod Bowen, who suffered a heel injury in Saturday's 1-0 loss at Liverpool, and must assess Declan Rice, who missed the Anfield encounter due to illness.

Rice's midfield axis with Thomas Soucek has been absolutely key to West Ham's strong season, so it goes without saying that the Irons will have a better chance if the duo are partnered against Seville.

However, West Ham under Moyes are generally competitive whatever the circumstances and they gave Liverpool a stern test at the weekend when they finished the contest a lot stronger than they started it.

The Hammers clearly lack Sevilla's wealth of experience in European knockout competitions but they are unbeaten on their Europa League travels this season and could pick up a satisfactory stalemate in Andalusia.

Key stat

West Ham are unbeaten in three Europa League away games this season.

Inside info

Sevilla

Penalty taker Ivan Rakitic
Free-kick wizard Joan Jordan
Set-piece aerial threat Jules Kounde
Card magnet Ivan Rakitic

West Ham

Penalty taker Manuel Lanzini
Free-kick wizardAaron Cresswell/Manuel Lanzini
Set-piece aerial threatTomas Soucek
Card magnetDeclan Rice

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