The stats behind West Ham’s incredible Europa League journey so far

Having finished 6th in the Premier League last season, West Ham qualified for the Europa League and they are now being regarded as one of the favourites. 

 

The group stages 

The Hammers were drawn into Group H alongside Dinamo Zagreb, Rapid Wein and Genk and they had no problems in topping their group. 

Throughout the group stages, David Moyes side boasted the joint best defensive record in the completion, having only conceded three goals in their six group stage matches. 

West Ham had the second best xG against record in their opening six matches, having only allowed an xG of 4.7 against them – only Lyon could better this in the group stages. 

Their defensive solidity has served them well in the competition so far as they have kept six clean sheets in the competition, more than any other side. 

They scored 11 goals in their group, which were scored by eight different goalscorers.  

Saïd Benrahma was the Hammers top goalscorer throughout the group stages, with three goals.  

The Algerian winger scored a brace away at Genk and a last-minute goal against Rapid Wien to wrap up all three points.  

Benrahma himself has actually been one of the most clinical players in the Europa League so far, having overperformed his xG by 1.7 goals. 

 

The knock-out stages 

West Ham certainly haven’t had it easy when it comes to their route to the semi-final. 

Despite topping their group, they had the daunting task of overcoming the Europa League specialists of Sevilla in the round of 16. 

Despite losing 1-0 away in the first leg, David Moyes’ side fought back to win 2-0 in the second leg and progress on aggregate.  

Having accumulated an xG of over two goals in the second leg, they were fully worth their 2-1 win on aggregate. 

The quarter-finals also looked like it would be an uphill battle as they faced a Lyon side who easily topped their group and had just knocked out Porto.  

Once again the Hammers kept things tight in the first leg, before turning on the style in the second leg.  

West Ham scored three goals from an xG of just 1.53 in the second leg, to progress to the semi-finals 4-1 on aggregate.  

 

Their semi-final opponents  

Many people expected the Hammers to meet Barcelona in the semi-finals, but Eintracht Frankfurt had other ideas.  

The German side overcame the odds to beat Barcelona 3-2 in the second leg and will now face West Ham for a place in this year's final. 

Eintracht Frankfurt certainly shouldn’t be underestimated either.  

They are still unbeaten in this year's tournament and as they proved at the Nou Camp, they can be deadly on transitions.  

Oliver Glasner's side also ranks as the third-best pressing team in Europe with 54.2 successful presses per 90. 

Their Bundesliga campaign has been a little bit more inconsistent as they currently sit 10th and look unlikely to finish in a European spot.  

The Europa League has been a different story though and West Ham certainly can’t afford to underestimate their opponents.  

 

Who they would face in the final 

If West Ham do find their way past Eintracht Frankfurt in the semi-finals, they would face either RB Leipzig or Rangers in the final. 

RB Leipzig are the only side left in the competition who qualified for the Europa League having finished third in their Champions League group. 

Rangers would certainly be no pushovers either, having already knocked out the likes of Dortmund and Braga. 

The Scottish side haven’t been short of goals and James Tavernier is currently the competition's joint-top goalscorer this season with six goals.  

Rangers have taken more shots than any other side left in the competition with 142 and they would certainly be worthy finalists if they manage to get past RB Leipzig.