West Ham tonight face AZ Alkmaar in a huge game, 90 minutes away from their first European final since 1976.
A first-leg comeback handed the Hammers a 2-1 lead in the Europa Conference League semi-final tie, putting them in the driving seat as the teams reconvene in the Netherlands this evening.
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David Moyes’ side have steered clear of relegation domestically and have been able to put all their efforts into this decisive tie.
Yet, AZ have been impeccable in their own back yard this season, unbeaten in Europe and flying high in the Eredivisie.
The Dutch side even overcame a bigger, two-goal deficit against Anderlecht in the quarter-finals to reach this stage having knocked out Italy’s Lazio a round earlier.
Date, kick-off time and venue
AZ Alkmaar vs West Ham is scheduled for an 8pm BST kick-off time tonight, Thursday May 18, 2023.
The match will take place at AFAS Stadion in Alkmaar, Netherlands.
Where to watch AZ Alkmaar vs West Ham
TV channel: In the UK, tonight’s game will be televised live on BT Sport 1, with coverage beginning at 7.15pm.
Live stream: Subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the BT Sport app and website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert analysis from Malik Ouzia at the ground.
AZ Alkmaar vs West Ham team news
AZ Alkmaar XI: Ryan; Sugawara, Beukema, Hatzdiakos, Kerez; Clasie, Reijnders, Mijans; Van Breredoe, Pavlidis, Karlsson
Subs: Verhulst, Deen, De Wit, Mihailovic, Lahdo, Bazoer, VanHeusden, Buurmeester, De Wit, Meerdink, Goes
West Ham XI: Areola; Kehrer, Zouma, Aguerd, Cresswell; Rice, Soucek, Paqueta, Benrahma, Bowen, Antonio
Subs: Fabianksi, Anang, Johnson, Coufal, Fornals, Lanzini, Downes, Cornet, Ings, Ogbonna, Emerson, Muamba
AZ Alkmaar vs West Ham prediction
The Hammers have plenty of experience for these sort of nights now and can put that to good use in a cauldron-like atmosphere.
Alkmaar are very solid at home but West Ham should be capable of grabbing an away goal and defending resolutely to book their place in the final.
A 1-1 draw, West Ham to win 3-2 on aggregate.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
The first leg was these two teams’ first-ever competitive meeting, with West Ham winning 2-1 on home soil at the London Stadium after fighting back from a first-half deficit.
AZ Alkmaar vs West Ham match odds
AZ Alkmaar to qualify: 5/2
Draw (90 mins): 23/10
West Ham to qualify: 2/7
