WEST HAM UNITED kick-off their latest European adventure when they take on FK TSC Bačka Topola in the Europa League at the London Stadium on Thursday night.
David Moyes steered the Hammers to their first piece of silverware since 1980 when they lifted last season's Europa Conference League, defeating Fiorentina 2-1 in the final thanks to Jarrod Bowen's winning goal in the 90th minute.
That triumph also ensured the east Londoners of a place in this season's Europa League, a competition in which they just fell short of reaching the final of two seasons ago when losing to eventual-winners Eintracht Frankfurt at the semi-final stage.
Last time out, West Ham fell to a 3-1 defeat when hosting Premier League champions Manchester City, on an afternoon where my recommended Bet Builder landed at the London Stadium.
Meanwhile, Bačka Topola, are embarking on their first European campaign courtesy of a second-place finish in last season's Serbian SuperLiga.
Zarko Lazetic's side have parachuted into the Europa League after being brushed aside by Braga in the Champions League qualifiers, and they will be huge underdogs in Group A where they have been housed alongside West Ham, Olympiacos and Freiburg.
Outright Betting
West Ham, who avoided defeat in each of their 15 European assignments last season, are heavy 1/9 (Ladbrokes) favourites.
Bačka Topola were well beaten in their two Champions League qualifiers last month and the bookmakers' odds are expecting more of the same here, with the visitors massive 33/1 (PaddyPower) underdogs while the draw is also deemed unlikely at 17/2 (PaddyPower).
Betting Angles
This is the type of European assignment that West Ham have been extremely efficient when dealing with across the last two seasons, but it's a case of having to get creative to eke out backable price with a view to getting the hosts onside.
I'll therefore head to the Bet Builder market and bundle up West Ham to score in each half and West Ham to score 3 or more goals during the match at 4/5 (Bet 365.)
David Moyes' men developed a handy knack of getting the job done en-route to Europa Conference League glory last season, particularity on the way to the semi-final stage, where they made light work of the likes of FCSB, AEK Larnaca and Gent, amongst others.
It would be fair to say that opening night opponents Bačka Topola are of similar, or perhaps inferior standard to the above-mentioned sides, so the hosts should safely negotiate this game with minimum fuss.
Admittedly, Hammers manager Moyes may choose to rotate his resources here ahead of Sunday's trip to Anfield, but he can do so without substantially weakening his side following some shrewd looking investment during the close season.
This 4/5 (Bet 365) Bet Builder would have paid out in Bačka Topola's recent Champions League qualifier away game at Braga, and it could be argued that a trip to the London Stadium represents an upgrade on that challenge.
It's also worth pointing out that this combination clicked during West Ham's 3-1 win over Chelsea last month, not to mention the same play has landed in two of the Irons' last three European outings at the London Stadium.
With that in mind, siding with the aforementioned 4/5 (Bet 365) selection looks worthy of some interest in what should be a routine victory for David Moyes' men.
This UEFA Europa League match between West Ham United and Bačka Topola will be played on Sep 21, 2023 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best West Ham United vs Bačka Topola prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
