91�ȱ�

West Ham are creating chances. Giving as good as they are getting.

Tomas Soucek just can't get a boot on Michail Antonio's chipped cross into the middle thanks to some smart Sevilla defending.

Image source, Getty Images

Optimistic.

Jules Kounde steps out of defence to latch on to a loose forward pass from West Ham. He has little on so goes for a long-range shot that bobbles through to Alphonse Areola.

How much room?

Oliver Torres is left in acres of space in the box to receive a corner but send a first-time volley high and wide.

It's harsh to do this, but I'm pretty certain an in-form Jarrod Bowen doesn't miss that chance.

HUGE CHANCE!

A West Ham free-kick into the box is headed back into the middle by Declan Rice for Nikola Vlasic. He is in space and looks certain to score but his effort lacks power and precision and Yassine Bounou saves. Michail Antonio has a swing but can't connect properly with the follow-up.

That is as good a chance as you're going to get out of this Sevilla side.

Image source, Getty Images

The Hammers having a good little spell, winning the ball high and testing this home defence with some chipped balls towards Michail Antonio.

West Ham being noticeably conservative at times in possession. They don't want to give away cheap possession to a side they know can hurt them when they're unbalanced.

Sevilla come forward again and threaten.

Two blocks deny Munir and Youssef En-Nesyri before Marcos Acuna drags a shot wide.

Plenty happening.

West Ham respond and Michail Antonio holds off his marker before firing an effort into the side-netting.

Good start.

Big chance!

Sevilla should lead. They attack down the right and find space to cross for what looks like a Lucas Ocampos volley but turns into a Munir header that he puts wide.

The home side bossing possession in these early stages. West Ham happy to hold their shape and hunt the ball.

First chance goes to home side as a cross from the left is met by Youssef En-Nesyri, who gets in front of Kurt Zouma but plants his effort straight at Alphonse Areola.

It's certainly a big boost for the Hammers not to be facing Ivan Rakitic or Diego Carlos this evening. Two big players for Sevilla. They're still not short of talent, though.

West Ham's biggest European tie in over 40 years is under way, with the sun setting in Seville.

Image source, Getty Images

Right then, shall we get this show on the road. Here come the players. Supposed to be a quality atmosphere in this stadium, which will host the final of this competition later this season.

West Ham United

West Ham manager David Moyes speaking on BT Sport: “I think if you look at Sevilla’s history, what stands out is the amount of times they have won this and their experience in this competition. I think English teams have found it difficult against them so we know it will be a tough game.

“We have to remember there are two legs. We want to give ourselves real chance at the London Stadium but we are all really excited. It is one of the types of games that when I came back to West Ham as manager I hoped to give to the supporters.”

Image source, Getty Images

Will David Moyes be celebrating later this evening?

This is not exactly the first time the West Ham boss has faced Spanish opposition and he led Real Sociedad to a 4-3 win over Sevilla during his time at the Anoeta Stadium back in 2015.

Here's a bonus for West Ham... experienced midfielder Ivan Rakitic has been injured in the warm-up.

Munir comes in for him for Sevilla.

Guillem Balague
Spanish football journalist

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham's Europa League opponents Sevilla have lost the same number of games in La Liga this season as Real Madrid (two) and have the meanest defence in the league, having conceded 18 times in 27 games, three fewer than the leaders.

But their flaws were highlighted in Friday's goalless draw against relegation contenders Alaves - the 10th time this season Sevilla have drawn in the league. It is their failure to convert draws into wins that has stopped them staying closer to Real Madrid.

With just 39 goals scored, they have only the seventh-best goal return in the league and have drawn six of their past 13 games as a result.

So what can West Ham expect and does Sevilla's European pedigree give them the advantage?

"I think we are now at the key moment of the season," says boss Julen Lopetegui. "We are now going to have two really hard games against West Ham.

"The past is not important. If you win today it is not about the past but more about your merits today. Of course, one of our dreams is the Europa League and now we face a very big opponent in West Ham, who are one of the form teams in the Premier League and our main focus is to beat them over two games. After that we will see what the next battle will be."

He certainly sees the match as much closer than some experts are predicting.

"What I'm sure is that we are going to see a very tough couple of games," he adds. "I think it will be very close. We both have different players, different styles - but in the end we both have good players and good teams."

Read more on the ex-Spain boss who found salvation at Sevilla