Preview: Anderlecht vs. West Ham United - prediction, team news, lineups

However, having come through the qualifying rounds, the Belgian side have collected four points from their opening two fixtures in Group B.

Match preview

While many will argue that there are pros and cons to playing in the Europa Conference League, David Moyes requires this competition to find game time for a West Ham squad which has strength-in-depth.

It will also allow players to find some form when they most need it, Gianluca Scamacca netting three times in this competition before scoring for the first time in the Premier League at the weekend.

West Ham were presented with what felt like a favourable group, but the East Londoners have been required to come from behind to see off FCSB and Silkeborg.

The Hammers have now netted three times in each of their four games in this season's tournament, strengthening the feeling that they are favourites to lift the trophy

Nevertheless, with the Premier League still the priority as they attempt to move away from the relegation zone, Moyes will want to secure qualification for the knockout stages as soon as possible as group winners.

Although West Ham can open up a five-point gap at the top of Group B with victory in Belgium, they will drop down to second spot if they lose to Anderlecht.

Felice Mazzu's side have been poor on the domestic scene, collecting just 13 points from their 10 matches, but there are ambitions to go as far as possible in this competition.

Despite their struggles in their homeland, Anderlecht have collected four points from their opening two games, keeping clean sheets in each fixture.

Although Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Fabio Silva has contributed seven goals and two assists during an impressive start at his temporary side, the Portugal Under-21 international has not contributed in his last four outings.

Anderlecht Europa Conference League form:

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Anderlecht form (all competitions):

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West Ham United Europa Conference League form:

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West Ham United form (all competitions):

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Team News

Moyes will make several changes to his West Ham XI with goalkeeper Alphonse Areola being recalled between the sticks and Maxwel Cornet likely missing out through injury.

Michail Antonio should replace Scamacca in attack, while Vladimir Coufal, Emerson Palmieri, Pablo Fornals, Manuel Lanzini and Said Benrahma could all be handed opportunities in the team.

Angelo Ogbonna may also come back into the side in central defence, allowing Moyes to hand a rest to either Craig Dawson or Kurt Zouma.

Despite defeat to Sporting Charleroi at the weekend, Mazzu is unlikely to make many changes to his Anderlecht starting lineup.

Inter Milan loanee Sebastiano Espositio could be handed a chance alongside Silva, while former Roma man Amadou Diawara may return in central midfield.

Anderlecht possible starting lineup:

Van Crombrugge; Debast, Vertonghen, Hoedt; Murillo, Diawara, Arnstad, Kana, Amuzu; Refaelov, Silva

West Ham United possible starting lineup:

Areola; Coufal, Dawson, Zouma, Palmieri; Rice, Soucek; Benrahma, Fornals, Lanzini; Antonio

We say: Anderlecht 1-3 West Ham United

While Anderlecht have a side full of players who will want to impress on a big stage, we cannot ignore their inconsistent league form. With that in mind, expect West Ham's greater quality to shine through, particularly in the final third.

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