WEST HAM UNITED VS EINTRACHT FRANKFURT
I think what’s been difficult for David Moyes is that he had a Champions League spot in his grasp at one point. United, Tottenham and Arsenal were all dropping points, while West Ham were in a really good run of form. Then they had a couple of iffy results, and in between that, the Europa League went really well for them.
I watched the Lyon game. In the first leg, when Cresswell got sent off, you’d have thought Lyon might be able to capitalise on it, but they didn’t. West Ham went to France for the second leg, and they were a cut above Lyon. They were absolutely fantastic. Declan Rice played really well and was highly effective in that game. They deservedly went through against a good Lyon team.
I didn’t actually fancy them after the first leg, but they got their rewards, and it was all set up for a game against Barcelona, who, at the time, found a bit of form under Xavi, but Frankfurt did a turn on them and deservedly gone through to the semi-final. It’s not the glamour tie that West Ham would fancy, but when you look at Frankfurt, it’s probably more doable for them.
Maybe Barcelona in the semi-final might have been the end of the road for West Ham, but you just think that against Frankfurt – who you have to respect for knocking Barcelona out – that it’s a more of a tie that you can fancy West Ham. It’s a tie that they’re probably favourites – which they wouldn’t have been against Barcelona.
I think West Ham, over two legs, will go through on this one. I think they’ll make the final of the Europa League. I think they’ve given up on the Champions League position, and they’re looking at the Europa League as a way to get into the Champions League by winning it. David Moyes has all his eggs in the basket.
I think it’s going to be West Ham win over two legs.
It’s a big semi-final for them; the crowd will play their part at the London Stadium. I’m going to go with a surprising 2-1 victory for West Ham.
- West Ham to beat Eintracht Frankfurt is available at 49/50 (1.98).
- West Ham to win the first leg 2-1 is on offer at 7/1 (8.00).
- You can get West Ham to qualify at 3/5 (1.60).
RB LEIPZIG VS RANGERS
European Competition, Giovanni van Bronckhorst certainly knows his way around Europe with the career he’s had, and he’s plotted his way through. There have been some results which haven’t gone his way, but he’s managed to turn it around in the second leg – as in the quarter-final.
They come up against probably the competition’s favourites, RB Leipzig. A strong, strong German team. In recent years, they’ve been highly effective in Europe, with great players coming through. They’ve lost some, but they’ve rebuilt season on season. They’re churning out decent teams.
I think this might be a step too far for Rangers; I think they’ll lose both legs. I think Leipzig are a step too far, and there’s a gulf in quality. I’m not taking anything away from Rangers, who have done ever so well, I just think it’s the semi-final stage, and I can’t see Leipzig messing up at this stage. I think they’ll go through over two legs quite convincingly.
- RB Leipzig, to win their upcoming match against Rangers, is valued at 3/8 (1.38).
- RB Leipzig to qualify is available at 1/4 (1.25).
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*Odds subject to change. Odds correct at time of publishing