After West Ham’s Europa League exit yesterday, they are now set to take on Norwich City at Carrow Road on Sunday 8th May. These two teams met up earlier in the year at the London Stadium, where The Hammers beat Norwich City 2-0.
Norwich are currently sitting at the bottom of the Premier League, whereas West Ham are in 7th place still trying to fight for European football next season.
Being in 7th place, they need Manchester United to lose against Brighton as they are six points behind Manchester United. However, West Ham have played a game less then 6th placed Manchester United.
West Ham are favourites to get a win against Norwich City which will help them secure a European place next season. Norwich City are already relegated after their 2-0 loss against Aston Villa last weekend.
The Hammers European Heartbreak
West Ham United’s UEFA Europa League run has been ended at the semi-final stage by Eintracht Frankfurt. The Hammers travelled to Germany hopeful of overturning a 2-1 first leg deficit, but saw their hopes evaporate in the opening 45 minutes at Deutsche Bank Park, where Aaron Cresswell was sent-off before Rafael Borre swept home to extend the hosts’ advantage.
West Ham’s Mixed Form
West Ham are currently seventh in the league but want to get back on track in their charge for a top six place, after suffering a disappointing 1-2 loss at home to Arsenal.
The loss at home to Arsenal could be down to the fact they were focused on the second leg of their Europa League tie against Frankfurt. West Ham can’t be blamed for prioritising the Europa League second leg as winning the Europa League is the best chance they have of playing in the Champions League next season.
Norwich City are coming into the game following an expected 2-0 loss against Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa. The result against Villa meant they are relegated.
Norwich City Premier League form: L L L W D
Norwich City form (all competitions) : L L L W D
West Ham Premier League form: L L D L W
West Ham form (all competitions): L L L L D
Team News
Norwich are relegated so Dean Smith has the freedom to rotate without consequences for the last few games. Kenny McLean and Joshua Sargent are both ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Angelo Ogbonna is a long-term absentee for West Ham, but the defender is now their only player side-lined here. Now out of the Europa League, David Moyes should go with a strong XL for Sunday’s trip to Norwich.
Probable Starting Lineups
Norwich City:
Krul; Aarons, Hanley, Gibson, Giannoulis; Normann, Gilmour; Dowell, Lees-Melou, Rashica; Pukki
West Ham:
Fabianski; Coufal, Dawson, Zouma, Cresswell; Rice, Soucek; Bowen, Lanzini, Fornals; Antonio
Unavailable: Christoph Zimmermann, Adam Idah , Ozan Kabak , Andrew Omobamidele, Joshua Sargent, Kenny McLean (all injured – Norwich City) Angelo Ogbonna and Issa Diop (all injured – West Ham)
Eagerly Anticipated Prediction
A 2-0 defeat at Aston Villa last weekend sealed Norwich’s fate and the aim now will be to not finish bottom. Already relegated, the Canaries can at least play without pressure here. West Ham’s Europa League dream ended on Thursday night as they fell to defeat at Eintracht.
The Hammers will now seek to end a four-game winless run when they make the trip to Carrow Road. This should be a routine win for Hammers, who are looking to end the season on a high.
Norwich 1-3 West Ham
Important Match Information
Teams: Norwich City vs West Ham
Stadium: Carrow Road Stadium
Competition: Premier League
Date: Sunday 8th May , 2:00 pm GMT
Channel: Not televised
