West Ham United: Euro journalist predicts winner of Hammers clash v Bayer Leverkusen
Constantin Eckner has predicted Bayer Leverkusen to secure their place in the semi-finals of the Europa League ahead of their second-leg clash against West Ham.
Speaking on the BBC’s The Football News Show on Tuesday (16 April), the German football writer, who works for ESPN, highlighted how the Bundesliga side “completely dominated” the Hammers in the first leg as they secured a 2-0 win.
He added that the German club’s performance “surprised” many people as he tipped Xabi Alonso’s side to get the job done in the return leg at the London Stadium on Thursday (18 April).
“You said that West Ham United did well for 83 minutes, yes and no, Leverkusen completely dominated the game,” said Eckner. “They produced 33 shots to one for West Ham. You see Leverkusen are getting closer maybe to a Europa League final. I guess the pressure will increase.
“Let’s face it, they might actually lose a game in the semi-finals and still win it. It’s not only about the unbeaten record, it’s just about winning three titles in one season after going without any silverware for many years.”
When asked whether he could see West Ham turning the tie around, Eckner replied: “The way the first leg went, not really. That performance against West Ham came somewhat unexpected.
“Leverkusen went into that game being the favourites, but still, being that dominant against a competent Premier League side is also something that surprised many people, including myself.
“I think Leverkusen will go through to the semi-finals and then they will face one of the Italian teams, either Roma or Milan, so they might actually get revenge on Roma, who eliminated Leverkusen last year.”
Could West Ham still go through against Bayer Leverkusen?
There is obviously still a chance that West Ham could go through against Leverkusen, but they face an uphill task following the 2-0 defeat in the first leg.
It looked for a long time as though David Moyes’s side were going to secure an encouraging result against the newly-crowned Bundesliga champions after putting in a battling performance.
But two late goals proved to be a hammer blow and, after Lucas Paqueta has been ruled out of the second leg and Jarrod Bowen is struggling for fitness, it’s hard to see the Hammers turning things around.
The Irons fans will be right behind them, though, and if they can manage to get an early goal, then anything could happen.
The players just have to turn up and give it their all as this is undoubtedly our biggest game of the season with a semi-final place on the line.
In other West Ham news, Kieran Maguire has shared a £3million expense the Hammers can offset against FFP.
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