Predicted: David Moyes makes seven West Ham changes for Gent but strong side has more than enough to get the job done

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We predict David Moyes makes seven West Ham changes for Gent but his strong side has more than enough to get the job done.

After the pulsating 2-2 fightback against Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday, West Ham are back at the London Stadium on Thursday night for the crucial clash with Gent.

The Hammers go into the second leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final tie against the Belgians with the score at 1-1.

And David Moyes’ side will be well aware of the talents of the likes of Gift Orban after the first leg.

If the score remains level after 90 minutes the tie will go to extra-time and – if needed – penalties after the away goals rule was abolished from last season.

West Ham and Moyes will be hoping it won’t come to that, though.

The Hammers did not perform well in the first leg and, in the end, coming away with a 1-1 draw was a positive result all things considered.

But Sunday’s fightback against Arsenal definitely felt like the penny dropping for the Hammers. And that could be ominous for Gent.

West Ham do have a huge relegation six-pointer against Bournemouth looming large on the horizon this Sunday.

With work still to do to secure survival, the importance of that match cannot be underestimated.

Predicted: David Moyes makes seven West Ham changes for Gent but strong side has more than enough to get the job done

So Moyes must find the right blend between making changes and keeping momentum and a similar front-foot approach for the crunch second leg.

We predict Moyes makes seven West Ham changes for Gent but his strong side has more than enough to get the job done.

We think Alphonse Areola, Emerson and Nayef Aguerd will come into the backline in place of Lukasz Fabianski, Aaron Cresswell and Thilo Kehrer.

Manuel Lanzini and Flynn Downes will replace Tomas Soucek and Lucas Paqueta in midfield in changes four and five.

And Maxwel Cornet will get only his second West Ham start in place of Said Benrahma while Danny Ings comes in for Michail Antonio up top.

Predicted West Ham starting XI to face Gent in UECL quarter-final second leg:

Areola, Coufal, Zouma, Aguerd, Emerson, Rice, Downes, Lanzini, Cornet, Bowen, Ings.

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