West Ham head to Sevilla for the first-leg of their UEFA Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday night, with David Moyes’ side looking to set up the second leg with a positive result.
West Ham United make their UEFA Europa League round of 16 debut in Spain at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium. The Hammers make the trip to Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, sitting in the sixth position in the Premier League standings, the Spanish giants are second in La Liga.
A capacity crowd is expected to be in Andalusia as up to 3,000 West Ham supporters take their place at the almost-44,000 seater stadium – the ninth-largest venue in Spain.
West Ham qualified for the Round of 16 by topping Group H in their first campaign in the Europa League proper, winning four and drawing one of six games, including victories on the road at GNK Dinamo Zagreb and Rapid Vienna, to finish ahead of the former.
Sevilla have not suffered defeat at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan since losing to Lille in the Champions League back on November 2.
Team News:
Sevilla FC: Sevilla are set to miss a host of key players heading into this game, including Diego Carlos. “We have many players absent, you can’t even count them because there are that many,” Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui said during the pre-match press conference.
Carlos has been ruled out due to injury, joining Karim Rekik, Fernando, Papu Gomez, Erik Lamela and Suso in the club’s long list of absentees. Thomas Delaney misses out due to suspension, leading to a major selection dilemma for coach Lopetegui.
West Ham United FC: Moyes and the Claret and Blue Army will be waiting to hear news on Jarrod Bowen’s fitness after the Hammers’ top scorer in all competitions this season departed the field of play against Liverpool on Saturday after 53 minutes.
On Sunday, it was confirmed that the No.20 suffered no significant damage following the injury he picked up at Anfield.
Possible Line-ups:
Sevilla’s possible starting lineup:
Bounou; Navas, Kounde, Carlos, Acuna; Jordan, Fernando, Rakitic; Corona, Mir, Ocampos
West Ham United’s possible starting lineup:
Areola; Fredericks, Dawson, Zouma, Cresswell; Rice, Soucek; Vlasic, Lanzini, Fornals; Antonio
Key Stats:
West Ham United will be Sevilla’s 11th different English opponent in European competitions. Sevilla are winless across their last three home matches against such sides, most recently losing 4-0 to Chelsea in the Champions League group stage last season.
West Ham’s meeting with Sevilla will be their first against Spanish opposition in European competitions in over 40 years since they won 6-4 on aggregate against Real Madrid Castilla in the first round of the 1980-81 Cup Winners’ Cup.
Sevilla have progressed from 29 of their last 31 knockout stage ties in the UEFA Cup/Europa League (94%), progressing from all three ties against English opponents in this time.
Date, Time and Kick-off:
The first leg will take place on Thursday, March 10 at 5:45 pm UK time at Sevilla’s home ground, the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.
