West Ham have been told they "have a chance" of beating Barcelona in this season's UEFA Europa League if the two teams meet in the latter stages of the competition.
The Hammers knocked out six-time winners Sevilla in the last round to set up a clash against French side Lyon in the quarter-finals. Should they progress further, there's a real possibility they take on the Catalan giants who were drawn against Eintracht Frankfurt.
David Moyes has turned his side into one of the more feared teams left in the competition but won't have an easy task on their hands when they take on a side currently placed 10th in Ligue 1. Lyon overcame Porto in the last round and recently drew 1-1 with French champions-elect PSG.
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However, former Ireland manager Brian Kerr has backed West Ham to reach the final by not only beating Lyon over two legs but then taking down Barcelona should the pair meet in the semi-finals of the Europa League, pointing out the weaknesses they have in their backline this season.
Kerr said on Off The Ball: "I wouldn’t underestimate their ability to beat Lyon. And if they beat Lyon, it’s possible that they can beat Barcelona, even if they have improved.
"[Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang has gone there from Arsenal, he is scoring a few goals and the young players in midfield in Pedri and Gavi are really clever players. But they are still vulnerable in defence. I think West Ham have a chance. They are a top six or seven team in the Premier League at the moment.
"Barcelona are back in the top four in Spain but they have had a very mixed season to say the least and they look like they are unproven."
West Ham headed into the current international break losing to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, leaving them six points behind fourth-placed Arsenal but having played a game more than their London rivals and reducing their chance of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.
