West Ham vs AZ Alkmaar: Europa Conference League Semi-Final Preview, Odds, Predictions (May 11)

Initial Thoughts

West Ham welcome Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar to the London stadium on Thursday with a chance to put a whole different slant on a disappointing season.

The Narrative 

Killing it in Europe but getting killed domestically. 

That pretty much sums up West Ham’s season as the Hammers prepare for a second successive European semi-final while hovering perilously close to the drop zone in the league.

After Saïd Benrahma’s 27th minute penalty secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Manchester United last weekend, David Moyes’ side should have done enough to ensure top flight football next campaign.

But on the back of a 7th place finish last season there’s no hiding it's been a desperately disappointing campaign for the club.

The Hammers have spent just a single week in the top half of the the table; have failed to win back to back games since October; and prior to Sunday’s victory against Man Utd had lost three Premier League fixtures in a row.

So Moyes is definitely in the hot seat as the season reaches its dramatic finale, and the outcome of West Ham’s impressive Cup run may ultimately decide the Scotman’s future at the club.

Nuts & Bolts

Luckily for Moyes, the Hammers have so far exerted total dominance in this year’s Europa Conference League. The London side topped their qualifying group with a perfect six wins on the bounce, before beating Cypriot side AEK Larnaca FC 6-0 on aggregate in the Round of 16.

The Hammers dropped points for the first time in a tight 1-1 draw away to Gent in the first leg of last month’s quarter-final, before making up for that in style with a 4-1 victory in the reverse fixture.

AZ Alkmaar currently sit third in the Eredivisie, and Pascal Jansen’s side head into this fixture unbeaten in their last four matches in all competitions.

The Dutch outfit also topped their Europa Conference League qualifying group, and pulled off impressive wins against Lazio and Anderlecht in the knockout rounds. 

Both of those sides sit third in their respective leagues, so although AZ may be an unfamiliar name, this Europa Conference League matchup is anything but a foregone conclusion.

Homestand Picks

All odds courtesy of Northstar Bets

Parlay: West Ham & Both teams not to score (+150)

After keeping Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes at bay on the weekend, the Hammers defense have the perfect blueprint of how to make it two wins on the bounce in front of their home fans on Thursday night.

West Ham to score in both halves (+155)

Moyes’ team found the either side of halftime in both of their last Conference League fixtures at home. We’re backing the Hammers to do it again in this semi-final matchup.

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