The hot topics for discussion as West Ham United host the Romanian champions in the UEFA Europa League play-off round second leg at London Stadium...
Which Astra Giurgiu will show up?
One glance at Astra Giurgiu’s results this season suggests they are something of a Jekyll and Hyde football team this season.
The Black Devils started 2016/17 by defeating CFR Cluj 1-0 to win the Romanian Supercup, then lost three and won just one of their opening five Liga I matches, while also being eliminated from the UEFA Champions League qualifiers by FC Copenhagen of Denmark.
The Romanian champions have won just one of their last eight matches in all competitions, but they are Romanian champions and they did produce a decent performance last Thursday in Giurgiu.
With manager Marius Sumudica’s domestic suspension not being extended to the UEFA Europa League, the visitors will be optimistic of pulling off their second shock win over West Ham United in the space of 13 months.
Mr Versatile
A loan spell in the Championship may be next on the agenda for Reece Burke, but for now the defender is West Ham United’s Mr Versatile.
The 19-year-old, who signed a new four-year contract this week, has lined up across the back four for the Hammers in pre-season.
Tonight, in the absence of Aaron Cresswell and the cup-tied Arthur Masuaku, Burke could again be fielded in an unaccustomed left-back position, but given his new-found and evident versatility, he is unlikely to let anyone down.
Played four, lost none. That’s Sam Byram’s competitive home record in a West Ham United shirt.
The right-back has looked comfortable in the starting XI this season, and has yet to concede a competitive goal at London Stadium – a record that rings true for the Hammers as a whole.
Byram has shown determination, pace and a ruthless streak that has seen him booked five times in nine appearances since his arrival from Leeds United in January this year.
M-Antonio of the moment
Michail Antonio is arguably the most-talked about player among West Ham fans these days, whether it be for his knack of scoring important goals, his entertaining celebrations or simply the debate over his starting position.
The No30 is almost certain to be deployed in a more attacking role against Astra Giurgiu – a role in which he thrived and headed in the match-winner against AFC Bournemouth on Sunday.
Whenever he is on the pitch, something seems to happen, and what price he is the name on everyone’s lips again come full-time against Astra Giurgiu?
On the brink of something big
A win tonight and West Ham will move a seat closer to European football’s top table.
The UEFA Europa League may be considered the dessert at the end of the weekly feast of UEFA Champions League football, but there are some big clubs dining in the tournament this season.
If every club qualifies for the group stage in accordance with their UEFA coefficient, the Hammers could be drawn in a mouth-watering group containing Germans Schalke 04 – the club with the highest coefficient in the competition – Italian side AS Roma and Saint-Etienne of France.
Alternatively, how about a group consisting of four-times European champions Ajax, Turkish club Fenerbahce, Spanish outfit Celta de Vigo and the Hammers, or Slaven Bilic’s men lining up against Internazionale or Fiorentina of Italy, Dutch giants Feyenoord and Belgian league runners-up AA Gent?
The thought of the above gets the pulse racing, doesn’t it? West Ham really are on the brink of something big.