West Ham United are in a rich vein of form this season and they are now really eyeing a shot at the Europa League title.
At the start of the season getting to the knockout stages would have been a big achievement for the Hammers but under Moyes, the players have reached a whole new level. And this is why even a place in the final of the UEL is pragmatic.
West Ham United are currently sitting at the top of their group with nine points and next up, they take on Genk, a team who are fourth in the group.
The London side go into this Thursday’s game at the back of a wonderful 4-1 win against Aston Villa and before that, they knocked out Manchester City of the Carabao Cup. They have not tasted defeat in their previous five games while Genk have lost three out of their previous five matches.
Moyes’s side are the overwhelming favourites to win on Thursday despite the fact that they will be playing away from home and the manager is expected to shuffle his pack.
West Ham United team news vs Genk:
Areola has been the No 1 in the cup and European games and in every match, the keeper has been outstanding. He will start against Genk as well.
Kurt Zouma and Dawson have been playing in tandem so the latter is going to come into the side while Diop replaces Ogbonna as the other central defender.
Ben Johnson has been playing in top gear in the previous few weeks but on Thursday Vladimir Coufal is going to come into the first XI. Masuaku had an average outing against Manchester City last week but he will replace Cresswell, purely based on rotation.
Declan Rice will be on the bench as the England international is not needed with West Ham United in such a comfortable position. Mark Noble is going to replace him in central midfield.
Vlasic and Yarmolenko are both going to come into the side meaning either Jarrod Bowen or Fornals will start.
Michail Antonio has been leading the line perfectly but the forward will be rested on Thursday. In the reverse fixture, Antonio was not even in the matchday squad but since this is an away game we don’t think Moyes will leave him back in England.
West Ham United predicted vs Genk:
Predicted Line up(4-2-3-1): Areola; Diop, Dawson, Masuaku, Coufal; Soucek, Mark Noble; Lanzini, Bowen, Vlasic; Yarmolenko.
Stats via Fotmob.
