West Ham vs Lyon: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction
The Europa League returns on Thursday night with West Ham looking to gain a first leg lead over Ligue 1 giants Lyon.
David Moyes' Hammers have been sensational in Europe so far, breezing through the group stages before seeing off six-time winners Sevilla - who had dropped into the competition after being eliminated from the Champions League.
Lyon have also been in fine form in Europe, winning five of their six group games, but they haven't had a great season domestically and are relying on their European exploits to rescue what has been a difficult campaign under Peter Bosz.
Here's 90min's preview of what's to come at London Stadium.
How to watch West Ham vs Lyon on TV/live stream - UK/US
When is kick off? Thursday 7 April, 20:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? London Stadium
TV channel/live stream? BT Sport 1 (UK), Paramount+ (US)
Highlights? BT Sport YouTube channel
Referee? Felix Zwayer (GER)
VAR? Bastian Dankert (GER)
West Ham team news
David Moyes has confirmed that Jarrod Bowen came through Sunday's win over Everton unscathed after recovering from ankle problem.
The 25-year-old scored his ninth Premier League goal of the season against the Toffees; a game that young right-back Ben Johnson missed with a niggle of his own. He could be fit to start for the Hammers, potentially replacing Ryan Fredericks, but the game will likely come too soon Vladimir Coufal.
Alphonse Areola should continue in goal, deputising for Lukasz Fabianski, but Manuel Lanzini is suspended.
Lyon team news
Karl Toko Ekambi is available for Lyon after returning a negative Covid-19 test, but may start the game on the bench.
Maxence Caqueret has been left out because of a knee injury, while Bosz is without long-term absentees Lenny Pintor, Rayan Cherki and Sinaly Diomande.
Lyon predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Lopes; Dubois, Boateng, Lukeba, Emerson; Mendes, Ndombele; Faivre, Paqueta, Aouar; Dembele
The view on Lyon from 90min France editor, Quentin Gesp.
Strengths
Most of the goals Lyon have scored recently have come from quick counter attacks, with Moussa Dembele looking particularly dangerous up front. He's a huge focal point up front and will give Kurt Zouma and Craig Dawson a difficult evening.
Tanguy Ndombele and Lucas Paqueta have been linking up nicely in midfield, helping Lyon transition more seamlessly from defence into attack. Karl Toko Ekambi and Romain Faivre, meanwhile, are quick and comfortable with the ball at their feet (especially Faivre) and will look to get the ball into the box if allowed the room to do so.
Weaknesses
Lyon are conceding too many goals due to a lack of aggressiveness at the back, evidenced by the second goal they leaked against Angers last weekend.
In midfield, things are a little unbalanced without Caqueret, with his potential absence through injury a huge blow. Lyon's pressing game is also very hit and miss as well, and that's something that will need to be on point if they are to stop Declan Rice from dictating the tempo of the game.
There is also a tendency to overcommit in the full-back area, which could give the likes of Jarrod Bowen the opportunity to run in behind.
System
Lyon typically play a 4-2-3-1 system, with attacking full-backs overlapping to try and free up space in the number 10 role.
There is flexibility in the side to switch to a 3-5-2 or 5-2-3 if needed, with Thiago Mendes potentially slotting in as an auxiliary centre-back. The issue Lyon have is they are wildly inconsistent - playing well 20 minutes and then having a mad five minutes - and Bosz isn't known for his patience in terms of tactics.
That could play into West Ham's side, with strong discipline and organisation the cornerstones of their continued success.
West Ham vs Lyon score prediction
West Ham's Europa League adventure really sparked into life against Sevilla in the round of 16, as they sensationally fought back to win the second leg 2-0 and send the six-time winners packing.
The Hammers will be roared on by a capacity 60,000 crowd and will fancy their chances against Lyon, who have struggled for form under Bosz in Ligue 1. But even though they are languishing in ninth place, they pose an entirely different threat on the European stage, and are well versed to competing in the latter stages of continental competition.
Moussa Dembele will pose a huge threat up front and Lyon will have an experience advantage over West Ham. However, with a well-balanced side that has shown no fear, it's difficult to look past Moyes' side picking up a narrow first leg advantage.
Prediction: West Ham 1-0 Lyon