Eintracht Frankfurt v West Ham betting tips: Hammers face huge task to reach final
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Preview, odds and Eintracht Frankfurt v West Ham betting tips
West Ham face an uphill task if they are to reach their first European final in 46 years on Thursday.
The Hammers lost 2-1 at home to Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final and are 7/4 to win in 90 minutes in Germany.
David Moyes’ defensive problems have eased slightly but let’s look at their prospects in our Eintracht Frankfurt v West Ham betting tips.
Eintracht Frankfurt v West Ham form
West Ham hit the woodwork three times at the London Stadium but Moyes was unhappy with his side’s performance against the Bundesliga outfit, who took the lead inside 50 seconds.
The hosts levelled 20 minutes later when Manuel Lanzini’s free-kick was headed across goal by Kurt Zouma for Michail Antonio to bundle the ball over the line, only for the Germans to regain the lead in the second half with a well-worked move.
Moyes said: “We’ve got a lot to do. We didn’t show enough quality, especially in the final third when we had moments to do so and a couple of times we turned off, obviously for the goals.
“So, a lot of those things will need to brighten up and be better. Ultimately a disappointing result for us but we’ve still got another game to play and we’ve given ourselves a chance still and hopefully we’ll play better in the second leg.”
West Ham’s Premier League form has dipped in recent weeks and their top-four hopes are now officially over following Sunday’s 2-1 defeat by Arsenal, so Moyes must throw everything at winning the Europa League which would guarantee a place in next season’s Champions League.
Despite their defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt, West Ham have some reasons to be optimistic.
The away goals rule no longer exists, Zouma is back from injury and Eintracht Frankfurt are generally better on the road than at home.
Oliver Glasner’s side have won just four of their home games in the Bundesliga compared with six on their travels, although they remain unbeaten in front of their own fans in the Europa League.
"I thought at times we played really well with the ball, but it’s really disappointing to lose to two set plays."
Mark Noble reflects on today's performance:
— West Ham United (@WestHam) May 1, 2022
The Eagles have kept just one clean sheet in their last 19 Europa League games and all five home matches involved goals at both ends which is 4/6.
Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals is 23/20 but adding either team to win into that market is 6/4 in our #GetAPrice section.
Four of Frankfurt’s five home games in the Europa League ended all square with goals at both ends, including a 1-1 draw with Barcelona, so we go 3/1 on that outcome; a fourth 1-1 draw can be backed at 5/1.
Eintracht Frankfurt v West Ham head to head
West Ham struggled to handle winger Ansgar Knauff, whose perfectly-timed run and header put the Germans in front inside a minute.
Although there were only three goals at the London Stadium there could have been a lot more, with Jarrod Bowen twice striking the woodwork, the first when clean through and again in stoppage time when his spectacular overhead kick rattled the crossbar.
Said Benrahma also shaved the post with a long-range effort but at the other end Daichi Kamada almost put the visitors 3-1 up with his second of the game but struck the upright.
Another exciting game looks in prospect, so it’s no surprise to see over 2.5 goals priced at 17/20 while at least four is 21/10 and five can be backed at 5/1.
Both teams to score in the first half, which was the case in the first leg, is 17/5 while Eintracht Frankfurt to score their first goal inside 10 minutes again is 15/2, although they are 11/2 to be leading after a quarter of an hour.
Eintracht Frankfurt v West Ham team news
Moyes’ defensive problems have been well documented but Zouma returned from injury in the first leg and played the whole of the defeat by the Gunners at the weekend, so should accompany Craig Dawson at the back.
Ben Johnson missed the game with a thigh injury, but is fit so should take the right-back berth, with Aaron Cresswell on the other flank having played in central defence owing to Dawson’s suspension.
Michail Antonio and Tomas Soucek were on the bench against Arsenal, as was Issa Diop, who has recovered from an ankle injury.
Frankfurt will welcome back key central defender Evan Ndicka and midfielder Kristijan Jakic from suspension.
Glasner was expected to rest several key players for Monday’s Bundesliga clash with Bayer Leverkusen, including Jesper Lindstrom, Martin Hinteregger and Sebastian Rode.
Match Info
Where: Waldstadion
When: 20:00, Thursday 5th May
How to watch: BT Sport
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
