West Ham host Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of one of two UEFA Europa League semi finals taking place this Thursday, as both sides look to put in a strong performance to give themselves the best chance of progressing to the final.
With there now being just 180 minutes separating each of these teams between their current status and a spot in a final of a European competition, this one is set to be an enthralling game in both legs of the tie.
The Hammers have been living in something of a fever dream over the past few months when it comes to this competition, with them coming up against multiple tough opponents and still finding a way to get through each time.
Such opposition includes the likes of Sevilla - the team who have won this trophy a record number of times - showing that David Moyes' team really do mean business, no matter who they are coming up against.
That said, the visitors to London in the form of Frankfurt will be no pushovers whatsoever - in fact, the German outfit are yet to lose a game in this season's European campaign, only the fourth side to do so up to the semi final stage in history.
They too have certainly earned their spot in the final four, with their most notable victory undoubtedly coming in the previous round when they knocked out the giants that are Barcelona, winning 3-2 at the Camp Nou to secure their place in this game.
Team News
West Ham
Speaking to the press ahead of this mammoth game, Moyes said: 'We've got most people available at the weekend available again, and we've got some people making good recoveries, but we don't know if they'll be ready yet.'
That rather cryptic update on injury news leaves many questions unanswered in terms of who is fit for the East London side, but there are a few players who can be likely ruled out of getting into the team.
Both Issa Diop and Kurt Zouma have been out with injuries and it seems probable this game will come too soon for them, with Angelo Ogbonna, another central defender, also set to be absent with a longer term injury putting him on the sidelines.
Eintracht Frankfurt
As for the away side, they have confirmed their travelling squad which includes the likes of familiar faces Filip Kostic, as well as club captain Makoto Hasebe who has been with Die Adler since the summer of 2014.
That said, they too have some injury concerns, with two left backs unavailable in the form of Christopher Lenz due to a toe injury, and 18-year-old Jan Schroder as a result of a muscle injury the German picked up.
On top of that, another two players that manager Oliver Glasner won't be able to call upon at the London Stadium are Kristijan Jakic and Evan Ndicka, both of whom are suspended due to too many yellow cards and being sent off in the previous round respectively.
Predicted Lineups
West Ham (3-4-2-1):
Areola; Johnson, Dawson, Cresswell; Coufal, Soucek, Rice, Masuaku; Lanzini, Bowen; Antonio
Eintracht Frankfurt (3-4-2-1):
Trapp; Tuta, Hinteregger, Toure; Knauff, Rode, Hrustic, Kostic; Lindstrom, Kamada; Maury
Form Guide
West Ham
Moyes' side come into this one hoping to continue with the excellent run they have been on across the continent this year, with this competition fast becoming their sole focus as the season nears its end.
Those limbs in Lyon 😍#UEL | #WHUSGE pic.twitter.com/Se5OwqBoSg
— West Ham United (@WestHam) April 26, 2022
They fell to a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea at the weekend in the Premier League, but only via a last minute winner, holding out strongly for the majority of the game, which they will need to do on Thursday evening if they are to take a strong result to Germany.
Eintracht Frankfurt
Meanwhile for the visitors it's something of a similar story, with their season eerily mimicking that of West Ham's in the sense of European glory now taking up the majority of most supporters' time, rather than any domestic success.
Our road to the @EuropaLeague semi-finals. Sound on! 🤩🔊#SGEuropa #UEL pic.twitter.com/nWrswt9dRw
— Eintracht Frankfurt (@eintracht_eng) April 27, 2022
They have failed to win any of their last six Bundesliga matches, leaving them in ninth place with just three games to go, meaning if they want to be playing football across the continent next season, this semi final tie is their one and only hope of doing so.
Ones To Watch
Craig Dawson
Considering West Ham's most recent outing in this year's Europa League was an incredible 3-0 win away from home at Lyon, it seems to make sense to look to that game for inspiration in who to look out for in this one.
There are multiple contenders, ranging from Jarrod Bowen, who has been in fine form this season, to Declan Rice, who has proven his captain credentials time and time again, but the other goalscorer that night in France was none other than Craig Dawson.
The centre back has been a stalwart for the Hammers this year, with his defensive acumen being put to the test against Europe's elite, and him coming out on top consistently, meaning the 31-year-old is the one to watch from the home team here.
Filip Kostic
Meanwhile for Frankfurt, once again looking primarily at games which have taken place on Thursday night this season, there is really only clear candidate for Glasner's side, particularly when focusing on an attacking perspective.
That man is 29-year-old Filip Kostic, who has scored three times in this season's competition, as well as assisting teammates on five occasions, making him the top goal contributor in total amongst his teammates.
The Serbian put on perhaps his best performance of the season came in that aforementioned win in Barcelona, when he scored two of his side's three goals, which ended up getting them to the latter stages of this year's Europa League.
Previous Meetings
The last time West Ham faced a German opponent in a European competition came over 46 years ago, in 1976, when they played, ironically enough, Eintracht Frankfurt over two legs in the UEFA European Cup Winners' Cup.
Strangely enough, it too was at the semi final stage, just as where these two teams meet each other this year, with the first leg taking place in Germany, and it saw the hosts come out on top with a 2-1 victory.
Back in London, at West Ham's old home - Upton Park - the return leg took place just a couple of weeks later, and with a hostile crowd right behind them, the Hammers won 3-1 on the night, thanks to a brace from Trevor Brooking and one from Keith Robson.
That took West Ham to the final, where they played against Belgian side Anderlecht, but unfortunately for fans of the East London team, they lost the game 4-2, but the game in 1976 remains the most recent European final the Hammers have played in.
How To Watch
This game is set to be broadcast all around the world on Thursday night, with it being the semi final of one of Europe's biggest competitions, and those in the United Kingdom can watch it live on BT Sport 1.
The coverage, including plenty of pre-match analysis, is set to begin at 7:00 PM BST, giving an hour leading up to kick-off which is scheduled for 8:00 PM BST in the capital.