Europa League: London Calling is Zagreb’s Last Chance

West Ham United vs Dinamo Zagreb

West Ham United are already through to the Europa League knockout phase, and on Thursday they hope to wrap up Group H in style when they welcome Dinamo Zagreb.

David Moyes’ Hammers have guaranteed top spot on 13 points with Zagreb trailing on seven. And with Genk ready to pounce, they’re just two points further back.

So while the match at the London Stadium will be an evening of celebration for the hosts, the Croatians are in serious danger of being dumped out of the competition.

Genk are at home to bottom club Rapid Vienna and if the Belgians win then Zagreb will need at least a draw in London to proceed to the next stage. So the pressure is well and truly on, and the visitors are bound to go for the victory to make sure.

It promises to be a fascinating clash between a team in fine form and with momentum against a side on the ropes and desperate for a boost.      

Talking Points

Happy Hammers are on the up

These are great times to be a West Ham fan as their team is currently fourth in the Premier League and enjoying a rare campaign in Europe, thanks to a sixth-place finish last term.

After a superb set of Europa League 2021 results by winning four and drawing one, they have already guaranteed top spot in Group H and can look forward to the knockout phase when some really big clubs might be dropping in if they fail in the Champions League.

Barcelona are in grave danger of exiting the flagship tournament and they probably need a result against Bayern to survive. What a fixture that would be if it happens: West Ham vs Barcelona.

We’ll have to wait and see but in the meantime, Moyes will prepare his team to see off Zagreb for a second time in this campaign.

The Hammers come on the back of a brilliant 3-2 win over Chelsea which knocked the Blues off the top of the Premier League and cemented their own place in the top four, while the only points they have dropped in the Europa League were in a 2-2 draw with Genk.  

Defender Arthur Masuaku scored the late winner against Chelsea. With Aaron Cresswell injured and Kurt Zouma and Ben Johnson both doubtful, he is likely to keep his place though Moyes may rest some of his other key players with a trip to Burnley on Sunday in mind.                

Orsic is Zagreb’s danger man

Zagreb head coach Zeljko Kopic doesn’t have any injury worries and he’ll field a full strength team, but he does have concerns over form.  One win in six games in all competitions has left his side in fourth place in the Croatian League though they are still favourites to win that competition.

They have a tough challenge to proceed in Europe though and attacking midfielder Mislav Orsic will be the man they look to for inspiration.

The Croatian international has scored 38 goals in 95 appearances for Zagreb and he is the main threat to the Hammers’ depleted defence.   

History

While West Ham are trying to break the dominance of the Premier League’s elite teams, Dinamo have been the top dogs in Croatia for much of the past two decades, winning 16 of their 22 league triumphs in the 21^st century.

But they have struggled to make serious inroads in Europe and now the Hammers are in a stronger position to make their own progress.

In fact, the latest Europa League 2021 betting odds reckon the East Londoners could be the team to beat in a line of favourites including Lyon, Bayer Leverkusen, and Napoli. But remember, some big clubs will appear after the Champions League groups are concluded. 

The two teams met on the opening round of Group H when the Hammers put down a marker with an impressive 2-0 win thanks to goals from Michail Antonio and Declan Rice, so Dinamo will need to up their game considerably to achieve the point or three they are likely to need at the London Stadium.

Betting tip

	West Ham United vs Dinamo Zagreb	1X2 West Ham United @ 1.91
	December 10, 04:00 (GMT+8)

The Hammers are odds on to win with the draw at SBOTOP odds of 3.25 and Dinamo Zagreb available at 3.20.

In theory, only the visitors have anything to play for, but Moyes will have his players fired up for this game as they will want to finish the group undefeated and crucially keep up the momentum they have recently gathered at home and abroad.

They will be full of confidence after seeing off Chelsea and should have enough quality to send Zagreb packing too. I think there will be goals. So for an alternative bet, how about Over 2.50 goals at a price of 1.89?

 

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