West Ham vs Rapid Wien: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction

Business

West Ham’s European adventure continues against Rapid Wien on Thursday, this time under the lights of the London Stadium.

The Hammers have enjoyed a fine start to the season, losing just once in the Premier League to Manchester United, and were victorious in their opening Europa League group game against Dinamo Zagreb – winning 2-0 in Croatia.

This time around West Ham are clear favourites to pick up three points, which would put put them in excellent position to qualify for the knockout stages.

When is kick off? Thursday 30 September, 20:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? London Stadium
TV channel/live stream? BT Sport (UK), Paramount+ (US), fuboTV (US), DAZN (Canada)
Referee? Tobias Stieler
VAR? Christian Dingert

Manuel Lanzini, Issa Diop, Ryan FredericksManuel Lanzini, Issa Diop, Ryan Fredericks

Ryan Fredericks is out with a groin problem / Alex Pantling/Getty Images

Moyes is not able to call on Ryan Fredericks because of a groin injury picked up in the 1-0 win over Manchester United in the Carabao Cup, while Vladimir Coufal is also a doubt.

The Hammers have a fully fit squad to choose from otherwise, allowing Moyes the freedom to rotate some of his players during what is a hectic run of fixtures.

As a result, Craig Dawson and Issa Diop may renew their central defensive partnership, and there could also be starts for Andriy Yarmolenko, Manuel Lanzini and Ben Johnson.

West Ham (4-2-3-1): Fabianski, Johnson, Dawson, Diop, Masuaku; Rice, Kral, Lanzini; Yarmolenko, Vlasic, Antonio

Rapid Wien (4-2-3-1): Gartler; Stojkovic, Greiml, Hofmann, Ullmann; Arase, Aiwu, Knassmuller, Grull; Kara, Fountas

Declan Rice, Manuel LanziniDeclan Rice, Manuel Lanzini

West Ham can make it two wins from two / Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images

The atmosphere at the London Stadium should be electric, although it’s unlikely there will be a 60,000 capacity crowd to watch West Ham’s return to major European competition.

The Hammers are overwhelming favourites given their recent good form. Michail Antonio is the Premier League’s top scorer, Said Benrahma and Declan Rice are in good touch, and Kurt Zouma looks to be a fantastic signing in central defence.

Rapid, meanwhile, have endured a wretched start to the Austrian Bundesliga campaign. They sit second bottom of their domestic league table after nine games, and have lost three games in a row.

Rotation may disrupt the Hammers‘ fluency – ruling out a number of their form players – but they should have enough in the tank against a side devoid of confidence.

Prediction: West Ham 2-0 Rapid Wien