West Ham United vs Lyon: Preview and Prediction
West Ham United is thriving in their first European appearances in the last four years and the Hammers are now going to host the French challengers from Olympique Lyon in the Quarter-final round of the 2021-22 UEFA Europa League at London Stadium.
The London-based club has survived till the knockout round of the Europa League for the first time ever. They topped Group H consisting of Dinamo Zagreb, Rapid Wein and Genk, in order to directly advance to the Round of 16 where they faced Villarreal. An extra-time winner from the Ukrainian forward Andriy Yarmolenko stunned the most successful side in the history of this competition.
Lyon’s tally of 16 points was highest in the group stages as Les Gones also managed an undefeated record playing five wins and one draw from six fixtures. The French giants carried the form to the knockout stage as well where they emerged victorious in the away fixture and then held Porto for a settlement in the home leg. Les Gones’ best performance at this stage came in the 2016-17 edition where they played the penultimate round.
Current Form
West Ham United enjoyed a gratifying outcome in the latest game after coming from the international break. Where David Moyes tactically outclassed the Everton manager Frank Lampard in a 2-1 victory. The Scottish gaffer seemed to be satisfied with the intent shown by his boys and will be expecting them to replicate the feat on the same ground but against a different opponent.
Teté after scoring the winner in the debut appearance for his new club
Lyon fought a hard battle with the 14th-placed Angers side to make a rightful claim on the three vital points at Parc Olympique Lyonnais. Moussa Dembélé’s brace and an 80th-minute winner from the Brazilian playmaker Tetê helped the Whites to register a 3-2 triumph in a high-scoring thriller. Although Dutch head coach Peter Bosz was still not satisfied with Lyonnais players’ approach after bottling the lead twice in the same game.
Head to Head Record
Lyon has been consistently participating in the European competitions organised by UEFA for the last 27 years. Due to West Ham’s irregular existence in Continental football, they never got an opportunity to face the French giants at a competitive level.
Team News
The Argentine magician will miss the high-voltage encounter
Manuel Lanzini won’t be available for the Hammers as the Argentine playmaker will serve a one-match suspension through this fixture after receiving the third yellow card of the tournament in the previous game. In the absence of first-choice right-back Ben Johnson, Moyes can give a start to Vladimir Coufal or Ryan Fredericks for the vacant position.
Lyon forward Karl Toko Ekambi suffered from an undisclosed reason of illness just right before their recent game and is going to miss this one too. Club’s very own boy, Maxence Caqueret is also set for his awaited return to the main action after an injury fiasco. While the Brazilian youngster may receive a surprise start as a reward for scoring the winner in the recent victory.
Predicted Starting XIs
West Ham United (4-2-3-1): Alphonse Areola; Vladimir Coufal, Craig Dawson, Kurt Zouma, Aaron Cresswell; Declan Rice, Tomas Soucek; Jarrod Bowen, Pablo Fornals, Said Benrahma; Michail Antonio
Olympique Lyon (4-2-3-1): Anthony Lopes; Malo Gusto, Jerome Boateng, Castello Lukeba, Emerson; Thiago Mendes, Tanguy Ndombele; Romain Faivre, Lucas Paquetá, Houssem Aouar; Moussa Dembélé
Prediction
Both managers may prefer their side to be lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation for this clash. It won’t be easy for the West Ham United defense to keep the Lyon attack quiet at the London Stadium. As both combatants stand on equal chances to emerge victorious in this contest.