Bayer Leverkusen v West Ham: Europa League quarter-final, first leg – live

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Peep! Peep! Peep! Here we go!

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Leverkusen (3-4-2-1): Kovar; Stanisic, Tah, Tapsoba; Frimpong, Palacios, Xhaka, Grimaldo; Wirtz, Adli; Schick

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Subs: Hradecky, Hincapie, Kossounou, Hofmann, Andrich, Iglesias, Arthur, Tella, Boniface, Puerta, Lomb

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West Ham (5-3-2): Fabianski; Coufal, Zouma, Mavropanos, Cresswell, Emerson; Paqueta, Ward-Prowse, Soucek; Kudus, Antonio

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Subs: Anang, Knightbridge, Aguerd, Ogbonna, Ings, Johnson, Cornet, Mubama, Earthy, Orford, Casey

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They might be unbeaten in the Bundesliga but Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen are yet to come up against the might of West Ham. Despite all the criticism of David Moyes and the style of football his side produce, they are seventh in the Premier League, not to mention in the final stages of the Europa League.

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Unfortunately for West Ham they will be without Jarrod Bowen who suffered an injury in the the dramatic victory at Wolves on Saturday. They did not miss him too much after he went off at Molineux but facing the Bundesliga champions-elect is another kettle of fish.

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Alonso could have the pick of jobs around Europe this summer but he has chosen to stay at Leverkusen and build on an absolutely fantastic season. He will fancy he chances of progressing in this competition, too.

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Let’s hope for a cracker.

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Kick-off: 8pm BST

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10 mins: West Ham counter thanks to a lovely touch and turn of pace from Antonio. He drives to the edge of the box and decides to pass to Kudus in space but his shot is straight at the goalkeeper.

8 mins: Leverkusen camp on the edge of the box and eventually get a chance when Stanisic shoots from 20 yards, it does not look like it will trouble Fabianski but Schick’s flick diverts the ball, making life tougher for the goalkeeper who saves.

6 mins: It is fair to say West Ham are taking their time over everything. Leverkusen, on the other hand, are trying to speed up the game. You can see what the intentions of both teams are already.

4 mins: Wirtz whips in a free-kick from the right to the back post but Coufal flicks it away and gets a headed into the back of his bonce for his troubles. The referee decides it is not a free-kick for some reason.

2 mins: A feel like the commentary team at not in Leverkusen for this, which is a bit underwhelming from TNT. Maybe I am wrong …

Onto the match … It is certainly a back five West Ham as they look to contain Leverkusen in the early stages.

Kick off

Peep! Peep! Peep! Here we go!

Read some of the wonderful Karen Carney.

Jeremy Boyce emails: “Well, who would have thought the Europa League could have offered us one of the most intriguing ties of end of season Cup hi-jinks ? Unbeaten Leverkusen, virtually home and dry in the Bundesliga with the most loved and courted manager in Europe, v obdurate under-the-radar over-achievers West ‘Am and their loveable, friendly, all-smiles and free-flowing English footie equivalent. BL will obviously go for it, no need to rest players, likewise W’AU as they really need this to guarantee them some more exotic away trips next year. It’s Dr Who v The Daleks. Who’s holding the Sonic Screwdriver ?”

David Moyes: “As high as it comes so far, so looking forward it. It will be a difficult game.

“We want to be flexible during the game, we want to change and adapt. They alter as well so we need to move with them.

“It happens in football, you get injuries and suspensions. We have to show what we have got, the players that come in have a chance to show what they can do.

“I want the players to be really professional, have a good understanding and play at a high level.

“This is the time of the year you have to be in good form. If we win tonight, it will be the first time they have lost, so we have to look at it like that.”

I was at Molineux on Saturday and West Ham were utterly appalling in the first half. They cannot afford to start like that tonight.

There is not a massive amount on the bench for West Ham tonight. I am working on the assumption they will take a draw of single-goal defeat and get back to London.

Focus on …

Leverkusen:

West Ham:

Starting lineups