West Ham vs. Lyon Predictions: Back the hosts in the capital

West Ham's whistle-stop tour of Europe continues on Thursday as the club prepares for its first European quarter-final in 41 years. This is, without doubt, one of the biggest nights in West Ham United's history. Our man @SamIngram has provided us with two bets for the game that he likes the look of.

The re-emergence of football at such a level highlights the enormity of the work David Moyes and co are doing in East London. With Sevilla eased aside at the London Stadium less than a month ago, it's safe to say West Ham are equipped with the capabilities of mixing it at this level, too. The Spaniards from sunny Seville boast six UEFA Cup/Europa League titles; the creme de la creme of this competition, if you like.

Ligue 1 outfit Lyon also arrives with a wealth of experience in European football - twice reaching the Champions League semis and also the Europa League semi-final stage on one occasion. Lyon's Round of 16 opponents, Porto, were the most recent side on the end of a lesson in progressing in Europe. Stalwarts in the continent's premium domestic competitions themselves, it was no easy route to meeting West Ham in the quarters. The 0-1 away win in Portugal in the first leg should offer an insight into the task The Hammers next face.

Despite Les Gones' impressive Europa League run, their domestic showings have lacked both quality and consistency. Lyon sit ninth in Ligue 1 with two wins from six. This current drab period follows four wins in five at the beginning of 2022, including victories against OGC Nice and Marseille. This calendar year explains Lyon's season in a nutshell - stop, start, a glimmer of quality, and losing to sides they should be coasting past.

With Lyon's up and down form this season, it's no wonder Hammers fans enter the tie with a sense of optimism. West Ham have won six of their eight displays in front of home support in 2022. With the magnitude of the fixture, I understand West Ham's 2.05 price. However, as shown with Sevilla, this side is more than capable of getting results over the line. It's a price I'm willing to take in the hope West Ham provides another performance to match their Round of 16 exploits.

The inclusion of Jarrod Bowen against Everton was a welcome sight after injury. Sorely missed on the pitch during his absence, the 25-year-old forward managed to grab the winner at the hour mark. Bowen's 13th strike of the season adds to West Ham's 1.81 goals per90 average at home in the Premier League. 

It's West Ham's penchant for goals, coupled with Lyon's 1.35 conceded per90 away from home in Ligue 1, that may provide the perfect storm in The Hammers' quarter-final. 

It should be a tense, nervy affair given the importance of the game for both teams. I don't expect lots of goals on Thursday, although either side have the personnel within their ranks to make a mockery of that statement. Neither will want to enter the second leg being out of the tie, and that should play out for all to see in how they approach the game.

If the home side ends Thursday night as victors, I don't anticipate them to have run away with proceedings. Nevertheless, one thing I do envisage is Bowen to be at the heart of it. Considering the lack of too many goals on the horizon, the 8.50 at William Hill for Bowen to be the first goal scorer is an interesting avenue. 

Before the winner against Everton, Bowen had opened the scoring for West Ham with his four most-recent Premier League goals. Three of those four strikes were the opening goal of the game. At 8.50, I'm having some of that.