Europa League: Moyes can inspire West Ham to more glory against Frankfurt

We are down to the final four in the Europa League, with England, Germany and Scotland all represented in the semi-finals. Here’s how we see the first legs playing out.

RB Leipzig vs Rangers

Thursday 28 April, 8pm, BT Sport

Rangers have done remarkably well to reach this stage of the competition. Few expected them to even get beyond Borussia Dortmund in the knockout round playoff, so to have reached the semi-finals of a European tournament for the first time since 2008 is a major achievement – particularly when you consider Giovanni van Bronckhorst only took charge midway through the season.

This could be a bridge too far for Rangers, though. Leipzig are probably the strongest side left in the Europa League. They might only be fourth in the Bundesliga, but they actually rank second (behind only Bayern Munich) since Domenico Tedesco assumed control in December.

Leipzig suffered a 2-1 home defeat by Union Berlin at the weekend, but their record at the Red Bull Arena is excellent for the most part. They did not lose on home turf to either Paris Saint-Germain or Manchester City in the group phase of the Champions League, while the defeat by Union was their first in front of their own fans in the Bundesliga in 2022.

Rangers did not offer much in attack in the first leg of their quarter-final in Braga, and we could see the Scottish champions come off second best here too. Two selections stand out: RB Leipzig to win to nil at 2.2, and the hosts to score in both halves at 2.14. Rangers may well need another big night at Ibrox to advance to the showpiece in Seville.

Recommended bet: Leipzig win to nil @ 2.2

West Ham manager David Moyes showed where his priorities lie when he rested players for the Chelsea game at the weekend

West Ham United vs Eintracht Frankfurt

Thursday 28 April, 8pm, BT Sport

It is obvious where David Moyes’ priorities lie as we approach the end of the season. The West Ham manager made several changes to his starting XI for the trip to Chelsea at the weekend, when a weakened side almost left Stamford Bridge with a point.

West Ham’s best chance of qualifying for the Champions League is now via this competition, rather than a top-four finish in the Premier League. Equally significant is the opportunity for the east Londoners to win their first piece of silverware since the FA Cup in 1980.

Many West Ham fans will be pleased that they avoided Barcelona in the last four, but Eintracht Frankfurt should not be underestimated – especially after their impressive victory over the Catalans last time out.

West Ham will nevertheless back themselves to come out on top at the London Stadium. They will also note that Frankfurt have gone five games in the Bundesliga without a win and have triumphed in just two league matches on the road in 2022. Three goals at the Camp Nou shows that Frankfurt are capable of causing opponents problems, however, so a home win and both teams to score could be the way to go at 3.95.

Declan Rice, more of a box-to-box midfielder than a holding player these days, is not exactly prolific, but no West Ham player has scored more goals than the on-field captain in this competition. A price of 8.8 on Rice scoring anytime is too good to ignore.

Recommended bet: Rice anytime @ 8.8

Recommended bets

Leipzig to nil @ 2.2

Leipzig score both halves @ 2.14

West Ham/BTTS @ 3.95

Rice anytime @ 8.8