The West Ham United have been battling a stomach bug and it certainly showed on the weekend, where they got thrashed by Fulham 5-0. Edson Alvarez may be recovered from illness, and fit enough to back into the starting XI when the Hammers host SC Freiburg on Thursday. It is expected that Emerson Palmieri and Said Benrahma will be over the virus fully, and ready to go by the time this midweek UEFA Europa League clash kicks off.
But the Hammers availability concerns certainly do not end there, however.
West Ham United vs SC Freiburg FYIs
Kickoff: Thurs. Dec. 14, 8pm, London Stadium, UK
Competition: UEFA Europa League Group A, Matchday 6/6
West Ham United Preview Content: Starting XI Prediction Team News
UEL Group Standing, Form: SC Freiburg 2nd, WWWLW 12 pts West Ham United 1st, WWLWW 12 pts
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
Fun Fact: these two teams met in 1924, for an international friendly, when the Irons became the first team to visit Germany after World War I.
West Ham Team News
Michail Antonio is still dealing with his nagging knee injury, and it’s going to be a bit before he’s fully fit again. Finally, shot stopper Alphonse Areola is battling a wrist injury, and thus may not be recovered in time to start this top of group UEL clash. Other than the AAA group, Alvarez, Areola and Antonio, manager David Moyes has no new fitness concerns.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now, while writing for the International Baseball Writers Association of America. You can follow the website on Twitter.