West Ham’s Europa League Dream Leaves On; Must-Win Weekend Game vs Burnley; Declan Rice Transfer Prediction

West Ham United ran riot at the Groupama Stadium to claim an overwhelming 3-0 win at Ligue 1 side Lyon and qualify for the Europa League semi-finals.

A 1-1 first-leg draw in London gave both sides all to play for in France, but the Hammers thoroughly outclassed Les Gones to reach the last four of a major European competition for the first time since 1976.

Craig Dawson’s towering header opened the scoring in the 38th minute before Declan Rice doubled West Ham’s advantage on the stroke of half-time. 

The 23-year-old took to Twitter to troll Lyon after an electric Thursday night at the Groupama Stadium. 

In-form forward Jarrod Bowen sealed the deal for David Moyes’ team three minutes into the second half, putting the icing on the cake as the Premier League giants’ European dream goes on. 

A first European semi-final appearance is a fitting reward for West Ham’s tremendous continental campaign, including their stellar comeback to oust Europa League specialists Sevilla in the last knock-out round. 

The Irons could not have picked a better moment to arrest their underwhelming five-game losing streak on the road, and they can now turn their attention towards a two-legged tie against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Moyes’ men cannot afford to get complacent, though, as the Bundesliga outfit defied the odds to knock resurgent La Liga heavyweights Barcelona out of the quarter-finals. 

But first things first. West Ham will welcome Premier League strugglers Burnley to the London Stadium in Sunday’s must-win league fixture that is available to watch live online via soccer streams as this fixture won’t be aired on UK TV.

Match Preview

West Ham United

A thumping 2-0 defeat away to Brentford last time out struck a fatal blow on West Ham’s bid to secure their first-ever top-four Premier League finish, leaving them six points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

However, the Hammers remain firmly in the race to secure European action for next season, as they sit sixth, level on points with underperforming Manchester United.

Though Burnley’s visit to the country’s capital looks like a suitable opportunity for a new beginning, Moyes’ men have failed to score in five of their last eight top-flight H2Hs. 

Against this backdrop, Michail Antonio and co have found the net in each of their last 17 Premier League outings at the London Stadium en route to setting the club’s second-longest such streak in England’s top-flight.

Burnley

Time is ticking for Burnley to ensure top-flight survival. Following last weekend’s 2-0 loss at rock-bottom Norwich City, the Clarets look like a doomed outfit. 

With 17th-placed Everton four points away, Sean Dyche’s side will be out for all three points at the London Stadium, where they have won two of their last four league visits (L2).

However, Burnley’s growing defensive problems could give West Ham the upper hand in this contest, with the Lancashire side conceding 2+ goals in their last six Premier League matches. 

Adding to a long list of the visitors’ issues, they have failed to find the net in three of their last five league games on hostile turf.

Declan Rice Transfer Prediction

Rice has been the headline subjects in the West Ham transfer news over the past few years, but the Hammers look powerless to stop him from taking his career to another level.

A host of top Premier League clubs, including Man United and Chelsea, are long-term admirers of the England international, who could leave East London in the summer.

The Irons are desperate to keep hold of their midfield dynamo, as they have already informed the interested parties of their stratospheric £150m asking price. 

However, it would take some special from West Ham to retain Rice beyond the summer, especially if English big guns come knocking on their door with substantial offers.