West Ham April 2022 Preview: Decisive month for European and domestic campaigns

March’s international break provided David Moyes with a fortnight to prepare West Ham United for a busy tail-end of the season.

The Hammers remain firmly embroiled in the top-six race in the Premier League, while they also have their eyes laid on the first piece of European silverware in the 21st century. 

While they are only three points off the top-six pace in England’s top-flight, the Londoners will be small-time favourites against Lyon in their upcoming Europa League quarter-finals tie. 

Let’s take a look at West Ham’s fixtures coming up in April.

Everton

After Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Leicester City, Moyes’ side could cancel out a three-point deficit on the sixth-placed Red Devils with a win over relegation-battling Everton. 

Frank Lampard’s side failed to build on their last-gasp 1-0 win over Newcastle United in their most recent Premier League outing, falling to a horrendous 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup quarter-finals. 

Everton’s lacklustre season could culminate in a shocking relegation, and West Ham, who are set to offer long-serving goalkeeper Lucasz Fabianski a short-term extension, look in good shape to pour more misery on the Toffees on Sunday. 

Lyon

The Irons’ first-ever Europa League quarter-finals appearance pits them against underperforming Ligue 1 side Lyon, with West Ham being handed home advantage for the first leg.

Moyes’ side pulled off a sensational second-leg comeback to overcome Europa League specialists Sevilla in the round of 16, with Andriy Yarmolenko’s extra-time winner breaking the roof at the London Stadium.

West Ham may need another resilient home performance if they are to get past Lyon, especially considering Les Gones have yet to lose at home in the Europa League proper this season (W2, D2). 

The return leg will take place at the Groupama Stadium on April 14.

Brentford 

Brentford defied the odds to come from behind and outscore Chelsea 4-1 in Saturday’s London derby, maintaining their eye-catching run of form.

The Bees have now won three of their last four Premier League outings (L1), suggesting the Brentford Community Stadium could prove a hostile environment later in April.

Burnley

West Ham’s home Premier League April action will round off against warm relegation candidates Burnley on April 17.

Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat to table-topping Manchester City made it four consecutive losses for Sean Dyche’s men, leaving them four points adrift of safety. 

Though Burnley’s disappointing form promises a walk in the park for the Hammers, a perfectly-balanced four-game H2H league record at the London Stadium (W2, L2) suggests otherwise.

Chelsea

West Ham’s penultimate Premier League London derby of the season will hand the Irons are rare opportunity to register a league double over Chelsea.  

Moyes’ team came from behind to beat the Blues 3-2 in the reverse fixture back in December, yet replicating that feat at Stamford Bridge will be a different kind of challenge.