West Ham United: Simon Jordan delivers ‘Phenomenal’ Bayer Leverkusen prediction live on air
Simon Jordan has delivered his prediction ahead of the Europa League clash between West Ham United and Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday (11 April).
The Hammers have already bypassed a Bundesliga team in the competition this season, thrashing Freiburg 5-1 over two legs in the round of 16 – having beaten the same opponents twice in the group stages as well.
David Moyes’ side have a much tougher opponent on their hands this time, however, with Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen yet to lose a single match this season.
Speaking live via talkSPORT on Thursday (11 April, 11:41am), Jordan said: “Realistically, it’s a huge challenge. Overcoming them [Bayer Leverkusen] is something I think will evade West Ham.
Jim White asked: “Do you think it is beyond them?”
“Not over two legs, I don’t,” Jordan replied, “This side that Alonso has put together is a very good one – they’re not 16 points clear of Bayern Munich for no reason.
“If West Ham are able to get a result, it will be phenomenal. But I think, if they can come back in touch, not three or four goals down, they might give themselves a chance.
“I would pick Leverkusen to come out of this, beating West Ham.”
Can West Ham United do the unthinkable against Bayer Leverkusen?
Of course, the West Ham squad will be going into the match knowing that, on their day, they are capable of beating any team in Europe. However, they will also understand the size of the task at hand.
Though Alonso’s side have come close to a couple of slip-ups this season, most recently salvaging a draw against Qarabag FK in the Europa League round of 16, they remain unbeaten this season.
This would be an extremely daunting match for any team, but it will be even more worrying for Hammers fans, who are unsure which team will show up on Thursday night.
Moyes has been under incredible pressure this season for his defensive style of play, especially with several damning defeats throughout the campaign.
And despite claiming a 2-1 win over Wolves on Saturday 6 April, their recent form is nothing to shout home about either, having drawn 1-1 against Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur, sandwiching an embarrassing capitulation during a 4-3 loss to Newcastle United.
West Ham must be defensively sound in Germany in the first leg, hoping to bring back a respectable result to the London Stadium, and hope that players such as Jarrod Bowen are available for the second leg.
In other West Ham news, Chris Sutton has hit out at Gary O’Neil.
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