AEK Larnaca vs West Ham prediction 09.03.2023

• Competition: Europa Conference League Playoff
• Date: Thursday, 9th March 2023
• Kickoff: 17:45 UK / 18:45 CET
• Venue: AEK Arena (Larnaca)

AEK Larnaca are having a historic season. After finishing second in the 2021/22 season, they had the opportunity to play in the Champions League qualifications for the first time in the club's history. They were eliminated by Midtjylland and continued their qualifications in the Europa League, where they knocked out the favored Partizan Belgrade and SC Dnipro-1 and secured the group stage in Europa League for the second time in the club's history. After finishing third in the group stage, they faced SC Dnipro-1 once again, but this time in the Europe Conference League 1/16 finals. And once again, they beat SC Dnipro-1. AEK Larnaca are the first and the only Cyprian team that secured the 1/8 finals in the Europa Conference League.

AEK Larnaca have been outstanding at home this season in all competitions, winning 14 of 20 home matches. In those 20 home matches, they scored at least one goal in all of them. Regarding home games in continental games, they have scored in all of them, but they also allowed at least one goal in five of the seven home games. 

West Ham are in danger of getting relegated from the Premier League this season. The Hammers are 16th with 23 points, but unfortunately for them, they are just two points away from the last-placed Bournemouth. There are only six points difference between the 12th and 20th teams in the Premier League, so an exciting relegation is in front of us. 

After winning 4:0 against Nottingham Forest, many people thought that could be the turning point for the Hammers. But after that win, West Ham lost back-to-back games. They lost 3:1 against Manchester United in the FA Cup and 4:0 against Brighton in the league. 

AEK Larnaca vs West Ham pick: Both teams to score

Even though AEK Larnaca are huge underdog, they are very much capable of scoring at home. AEK Larnaca scored at least one goal in all 20 home matches. 

There is no doubt that West Ham are a better team, but it is still questionable whether they will rotate the squad for this match since they are in danger of dropping to the relegation zone. Even if they rotate, they are capable of scoring in this match. Defensively, West Ham have been atrocious and have allowed nine goals in the last three road matches.