Thursday's Europa Conference League predictions: Hammers edging towards last eight
- There are seven Europa Conference League ties taking place on Thursday
- Recommended bets:
- Back West Ham: Team Total Goals - Over 2.5
- Back Nice to Win to Zero
- Back AZ Alkmaar to Win and Both Teams to Score
West Ham have one foot in the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League and are not expected to slip up when they host AEK Larnaca on Thursday.
The Hammers are the only British side still remaining in the competition and they look strong candidates to reach the next phase.
West Ham vs AEK Larnaca (Thursday, 8pm)
The stats
West Ham have a perfect record in the Europa Conference League, dating back to the play-off qualifying round, with nine victories under their belt, including a 2-0 triumph in the first leg of this tie.
The Hammers have scored three goals in five of those outings, a stark contrast to their struggles in front of goal in the Premier League.
AEK Larnaca have failed to win in three games on the road across all competitions, losing two during that run.
Just two of their five away matches in the Europa League and Conference League this term have ended in victory.
Prediction
West Ham have looked a cut above all of their opponents in the Conference League and this competition has offered them a much-needed break from the Premier League.
The Hammers' performance in the first leg suggests they should coast through now returning to home soil.
AEK will need to go chasing the game and that is likely to leave gaps for David Moyes' men to expose, leading to the feeling that West Ham should create plenty of chances.
Nice vs Sheriff Tiraspol (Thursday, 8pm)
The stats
Nice picked up a 1-0 victory in the first leg of last-16 tie at Sheriff Tiraspol with Ayoub Amraoui notching the only goal of the night in Moldova.
The French outfit have not tasted defeat since Didier Digard took charge on a caretaker basis following the exit of Lucien Favre, enjoying an 11-game unbeaten streak.
Sheriff featured in the group stage of the Europa League and lost two of their three away games without scoring.
Prediction
Nice have been extremely tough to break down since Digard took the reins, keeping three clean sheets in five games at home, and, having kept Sheriff at bay on the road, they should be able to add another shutout to their record on Thursday.
AZ Alkmaar vs Lazio (Thursday, 8pm)
The stats
AZ Alkmaar are unbeaten in nine games inside 90 minutes when hosting across all competitions, winning six during that run.
They have won all six home fixtures in the Conference League this season, including qualifiers, and finished five points clear of Dnipro-1 to top Group E.
Lazio are Europa League dropouts and last week's 2-1 loss at home leaves them with a tough assignment in this reverse fixture.
The Italian outfit failed to win any of their away engagements in the Europa League group stage, losing two and drawing one.
Prediction
AZ Alkmaar showed their quality at the Stadio Olimpico and look well placed to make it successive wins over Lazio.
However, getting the job done with a clean sheet looks unlikely when taking into account their record in the group stage – conceding at least one goal in each of their three outings.
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