West Ham v FCSB: Hammers begin European journey, Romanians never won in England

David Moyes' side made it to the semi-finals of the Europa League last year and will look to go one step further in Europe this term.

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And after an intense summer of spending, West Ham are ready to compete on numerous fronts, and that starts this evening.

Their opponents finished second in the Romanian SuperLiga last year but are 13th at the moment after a dreadful start to the campaign.

They have faced the Irons before during the 1999/2000 UEFA Cup and managed a 2-0 win at home and a 0-0 draw away.

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But their record in England doesn't make for good reading. In ten matches, they have lost eight and drawn two.

However, Moyes won't take them lightly and this could be a tough one for the hosts.

West Ham v FCSB: Date and how to follow

This Europa Conference League clash will take place on Thursday, September 8.

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Kick-off at the London Stadium is at 8pm.

The game will be broadcast on BT Sport 2, with coverage starting at 7:45pm. BT Sport customers can also watch the action online.

talkSPORT will have updates throughout the evening and talkSPORT.com will have a live blog.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

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West Ham v FCSB: Team news

The Hammers are short at full-back with Ben Johnson and Aaron Cresswell out.

Nayef Aguerd is also expected to be missing for another six weeks as he continues his recovery after sustaining a nasty ankle injury in pre-season.

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Tomas Soucek is also a doubt due to a foot problem picked up against Chelsea at the weekend.

But there is better news for Gianluca Scamacca and Craig Dawson as they both returned to training, though the latter is unlikely to start.

Declan Rice is also likely to return after being banned from the two UECL qualifiers.

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West Ham v FCSB: What has been said?

Hammers boss David Moyes: "We have watched a lot of games. We have tried to get a better idea and understanding of FCSB.

"We know they have probably had a difficult start in the league but overall if you finish second in your league.

"A bit like us, we finished very strongly last year but have not started the league as well.

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"We have recognised one or two players but I'm not going to tell you who that is."

West Ham v FCSB: Match facts

This will be the second meeting between West Ham United and FCSB in Europe - the Romanian side progressed in the second round of the 1999/2000 UEFA Cup thanks to a 2-0 home win and a goalless away draw.

West Ham United's only win over Romanian opposition in Europe came at their very first attempt - a 4-0 home victory over FC Politehnica Timisoara in the last 16 of the 1980/81 Cup Winners' Cup. Since then, the London club have failed to win any of their seven meetings with Romanian sides in Europe (D3, L4).

FCSB haven't won any of their 10 European away games against English opposition (D2, L8) - they have lost each of their last seven with a goal record of 5-16.

Following their Europa League campaign last season, this is West Ham United's second appearance in a European group phase - they only lost their final group match last term (1-0 H vs. Dinamo Zagreb), with only Olympique Lyon (16) picking up more points than West Ham in the 2021/22 UEL group phase (13).

FCSB have reached the main round of a UEFA competition for the first time since 2017/18 - the Romanian side reached the last 32 of the Europa League back then. FCSB have won two of their last three European group games away from home - as many as in their previous 40 combined.