West Ham United confirmed XI v Viborg: Senior aces rested for European clash
West Ham United are looking to seal their passage into the Europa Conference League group stages as they take on Viborg in Denmark.
The Hammers hold a 3-1 advantage from the first leg after goals from Gianluca Scamaccas, Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio and are hoping they can etch their name into the group stage draw that takes places on Friday (26 August).
David Moyes has opted to make six changes from the side that lost 2-0 at home to Brighton in the Premier League on Sunday with Maxwel Cornet, Scamacca and Ben Johnson all coming into the side.
The Danes will be buoyed by their late goal at the London Stadium that gives them a fighting chance of a dramatic comeback and they will have Said and Mohammed Jatta back after they were both denied entry into the UK for the first leg due to visa issues.
Routine
The importance of an early goal can never be underestimated and if West Ham manage to get it in Denmark then they should be in for a relaxing evening where they can cruise into the group stages.
The only problem might be that goals haven’t exactly come flowingly to the Irons so far this season with the three netted in the first leg the only ones to their name this season following three blanks in the Premier League.
That shyness in front of goal has to be eradicated this evening and the Hammers will need to be on their A-game early on to avoid the home crowd getting too excited about a potentially historic night.
The defence has to be as solid as a rock too with Angelo Ogbonna alongside Thilo Kehrer this time and the Italian’s experience of the European stage should be enough to help guide the German through after a difficult time against the Seagulls.