Football Tips: Hammers on top in our 24/1 Bet Builder v AZ Alkmaar for Thursday

Our tipster Colin Harvey's expecting West Ham to Hammer AZ Alkmaar in the Europa Conference League.

West Ham v AZ Alkmaar Bet Builder Tips

West Ham (-1)
Both Teams To Score
Lucas Paqueta to Commit 2 or More Fouls
Jarrod Bowen to Score or Assist
Corner Match Bet: West Ham

A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 24/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.

Thursday 8pm: West Ham v AZ Alkmaar
TV: BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate

West Ham (-1)

After effectively wrapping up Premier League survival at the weekend with a 1-0 win over Manchester United thanks to a kind helping hand from their keeper David De Gea, West Ham can throw everything at the Europa Conference League and a rare shot at European glory. They take on Dutch side AZ Alkmaar at the London Stadium on Thursday night in the first of their two-legged semi final.

David Moyes has chopped and changed in the Conference League of late but with some winnable games remaining, a seven-point cushion from the drop zone and just three games to play, we can expect him to go full strength. AZ will be a tough nut to crack, they’re fourth in the Eredivisie, and they played out a 0-0 draw with Ajax at the weekend.

However, they have lost two of their last four away Europa Conference games and have relied on rock solid home form to get them through. West Ham might need a good win here if they’re to make it to the final.

Alkmaar are still in the race for Champions League football and with their eye potentially more firmly on domestic action there’s a chance they make some changes. The Hammers need a decent win to take to The Netherlands and I think they’ll get it so there’s a very appealing price available on West Ham (-1).

Both Teams To Score

While we’re expecting AZ to lose, it’s worth backing them to score. Both teams scored in both legs of West Ham’s quarter final win over Gent and it’s a bet that’s clicked in seven of the visitors’ last 11 games in this competition.

BTTS hasn’t clicked much in recent times for the away side overall but they have been swatting aside the likes of RKC Waalwijk and Fortuna Sittard in the league. It has landed in four of West Ham’s last eight Premier League games but, with this bet being far more prevalent for both in the Conference League, we’ll hope that trend continues and take on Both Teams to Score.

Lucas Paqueta to Commit 2 or More Fouls

While Lucas Paqueta might be more known for his playmaking ability than his role as a midfield enforcer, the Brazil international loves to get stuck into the thick of the action. He’s averaging a shade over two successful tackles per 90 minutes and two fouls as well.

I’m expecting David Moyes’ boys to have the lion’s share of the play here but those numbers are hard to ignore. He’s more than capable of getting this done in the first half if he’s in the right mood so we’ll have Lucas Paqueta to Commit 2 or More Fouls.

Jarrod Bowen to Score or Assist

One man who’s been ever present in the European games that have mattered for West Ham is Jarrod Bowen. He’s started the last three Europa Conference League knockout games and came off the bench in the fourth.

He’s had a fine season for the East London side and has scored 10 and set up another six goals in 47 appearances across all competitions which is certainly not bad for a side who have been battling relegation all season. With West Ham likely to have a few chances here, Jarrod Bowen to Score or Assist is a nice price.

Corner Match Bet: West Ham

Bearing in mind everything we’ve covered here I think we can add a bit of value into our Bet Builder with Corner Match Bet: West Ham. Given that they have home advantage and that passionate Hammers support driving them on, the hosts should be very much on the front foot here with AZ looking to sit in and hit on the break.

The Hammers will be in high spirits after that win at the weekend and should come into this game with a real impetus. Now everything is on this competition they should be going for it 100% and I’d be surprised if that doesn’t translate to them having the most corners here.

West Ham v AZ Alkmaar Betting Tips

West Ham (-1)
Both Teams To Score
Lucas Paqueta to Commit 2 or More Fouls
Jarrod Bowen to Score or Assist
Corner Match Bet: West Ham

A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 24/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

READ MORE

    The latest football odds are on PaddyPower.com now

    THE PADDY POWER GUIDE TO SAFER GAMBLING – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW