West Ham have been handed an absolutely massive boost as injury-ravaged Sevilla hit the skids ahead of their big Europa League last 16 clash.
The Hammers were handed arguably the toughest possible draw from the eight teams that won the play-off round for the right to face David Moyes’s side.
Sevilla have all but sewn up second place in La Liga already – with 11 games to go – and have only lost two league matches all season.
The size of West Ham’s task is put into perspective by a quick glance at the recent history of their last 16 opponents too.
Sevilla have won the Europa League four times and the old UEFA Cup twice. They last lifted the trophy two seasons ago and even won the Europa three seasons in a row between 2014 and 2016.
West Ham meanwhile, as was highlighted in a special mention by the UEFA general doing the last 16 draw, are at this stage for the first time in the club’s history.
West Ham get absolutely massive boost as injury-ravaged Sevilla hit the skids ahead of Europa League last 16 clash
Throw in the fact this shallow West Ham squad looks like they may have hit a bit of a wall and it is a daunting prospect.
There is hope, though.
Because West Ham will get an absolutely massive boost seeing that an injury-ravaged Sevilla have hit the skids ahead of the first leg of their Europa League last 16 clash on Thursday night.
Marca reports that the Spanish side are experiencing something of an injury crisis, with ‘significant absentees’.
Diego Carlos, Fernando, Papu Gomez and Montiel have all joined a growing injury list which already included absentees such as Javi Diaz, Luismi, Carmona, Juanlu, Nacho Quintana, Kike Salas and Ivan Romero.
Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui has admitted he is concerned stating “we will have too many absentees, much more than we would logically like” ahead of the game.
And last night Sevilla’s La Liga title hopes took what looks to be a fatal blow as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Alaves. They
“Julen Lopetegui’s side have suffered a stumble in form at the wrong time in 2022 as they now slip five points behind league leaders Real Madrid,” Football Espana reports.
“The defeat for Sevilla has dealt a real hit to their chances of a first top-flight league title since 1946.
“Up next for Lopetegui’s side is a Europa League last 16 first leg clash at home to Premier League side West Ham with Alaves at La Real next weekend.”
West Ham will take great confidence from the situation in Sevilla, who have also failed to beat Espanyol, Celta Vigo and Osasuna recently as well as losing to Dinamo Zagreb 1-0 in the second leg of their 3-2 aggregate Europa play-off victory.
The injury situation and knowing their title hopes are all but over may impact morale among the Sevilla squad.
Let’s hope West Ham can take advantage.