West Ham United faces a stern test against German giants Bayer Leverkusen in their final pre-season friendly at the BayArena. Both teams are looking to end their preparations on a high note before diving into their respective competitive campaigns.
Under the guidance of coach Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen displayed impressive form in their pre-season clashes, securing a 2-1 victory against Marseille. Despite some initial setbacks in their warm-up matches, Leverkusen remains a formidable opponent, especially with their recent additions of Alex Grimaldo, Granit Xhaka, Victor Boniface, and Jonas Hofmann.
In contrast, West Ham United, led by David Moyes, experienced mixed results in their friendlies. While they clinched victories over Boreham Wood, Perth Glory, and Tottenham Hotspur, they were held to a draw against Dagenham & Redbridge and suffered a narrow loss to Rennes.
The two teams have never met in competitive action before, adding an extra layer of excitement to the match. Leverkusen has a decent record against English clubs, winning four out of their 21 encounters. West Ham, on the other hand, will be eager to impress and seek redemption after their defeat to Rennes.
Key players like Robert Andrich, Florian Wirtz, Adam Hlozek, and the attacking duo of Boniface and Hlozek will be vital for Leverkusen. For West Ham, a fully-fit squad ensures a strong XI, but the absence of Michail Antonio and Ben Johnson may be felt.
As the clock ticks closer to their respective league campaigns, both teams will be keen to end their pre-season with a dominant performance. Fans can expect an intense and action-packed match as Leverkusen and West Ham strive for victory at the BayArena.
