West Ham United manager David Moyes won’t be happy with the result his side “achieved” just now, but hey, it could have been a lot worse. It just went final in Belgium, and the Hammers end up level with Gent, in the first leg of their Conference League quarterfinal tie.
The two sides will do it again on April 20, with the Irons having the advantage of the home pitch now. Going back level at 1 means their prospects of advancing through to the semifinals are very good.
It ends level in Belgium. pic.twitter.com/2l06oIHofj
— West Ham United (@WestHam) April 13, 2023
London Derby FYIs
Kickoff: Sun. April 16, 2 pm GMT, London Stadium, UK
Team News: Arsenal West Ham
Starting XI Predictions: Arsenal West Ham
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
PL Form: Arsenal FC DWWWW West Ham WLWDL
PL Standing: Arsenal FC 1st, 73 pts West Ham 14th, 30 pts
Google Result Probability: Arsenal FC 62% West Ham 12% Draw 22%
Still Moyes’ men will have to be kicking themselves thinking about what might have been. They went up 1-0 on the strength of Danny Ings’ first ever goal in European competition, but then they, obviously, squandered that advantage. Sandwiched in between the UECL ties is a weekend clash against league leading Arsenal FC. In terms of team news for that clash, WHUFC are in the same exact place they were entering the European clash on Thursday night.
No fresh fitness concerns for David Moyes, entering this Sunday matinee.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now. Follow the website on Twitter and Instagram.