- West Ham United bid for UEFA Europa League group stage place on Thursday
- Hammers drew 1-1 with Astra Giurgiu in first leg last week
- Slaven Bilic's men looking to go one better against Romanian opponents than last year
When and where?
West Ham United v Astra Giurgiu
UEFA Europa League play-off round second leg
London Stadium
Thursday 25 August 2016, 7.45pm BST
What’s the story?
West Ham United stand 90 minutes away from a place in the UEFA Europa League group stage when they take on Romanian champions Astra Giurgiu on Thursday.
The Hammers do battle with Astra for the right to make progress in Europe a week after playing out a 1-1 draw in the first leg.
Mark Noble’s penalty gave Slaven Bilic’s men the away goal that means they will be confident of winning the tie despite Denis Alibec’s late equaliser in Romania.
West Ham go into the game on the back of a hard-fought 1-0 victory over AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League – a feeling Giurgiu could not replicate as they slumped to a 5-1 defeat against CFR Cluj.
Astra’s league season has not gone to plan to date, with just four points from their opening five matches.
But having shown better form in Europe a week ago, the Hammers will need to be on their guard to ensure their European campaign continues into the autumn.
Team News
West Ham’s injury problems at the start of the season have been well documented, although a couple of players are nearing a return.
Dimitri Payet has missed the Hammers’ last two games, but might be called upon on Thursday. However, Slaven Bilic has said a return on Sunday for both the Frenchman and Manuel Lanzini is more likely.
Elsewhere, Aaron Cresswell, Andy Carroll, Andre Ayew and Sofiane Feghouli are all out, but Bilic will pick as strong a team as possible.
Any links between the two?
Not on the playing side, but the two clubs have got well acquainted to each other over the last couple of years.
They were drawn together in last season’s Europa League, with a 2-2 draw at the Boleyn Ground being followed by a 2-1 loss in Romania.
This time the Hammers will be hoping to make more use of their first leg draw – and with 57,000 fans set to roar them on at London Stadium, they will be confident of making that happen.
How do I get to the game?
Click here for information on the best routes to London Stadium. You can find the latest news from Transport for London here and National Rail here.
Blue Badge parking pass holders should note the car parking area is open from two hours before kick-off.
Where can I watch the game?
The match is being broadcast live in the UK on BT Sport.