West Ham United - Astra Betting: Back Bilic's men to wreck the Romanians' European dream

Slaven Bilic's side survived a scare in the last round but our tipster is backing the Hammers to enjoy a comfortable win at Upton Park in Thursday's Europa League first-leg tussle

West Ham United’s Europa League adventure continues when they face Astra in the third qualifying round first-leg at Upton Park on Thursday night.

The Hammers survived a massive scare against Maltese side Birkirkara in the last round of the competition, eventually winning 5-3 on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw on aggregate, and Slaven Bilic will be hoping for a straightforward victory against the Romanians. The home side will go into this game without the services of James Tomkins after his sending off in the last round.

West Ham are certainly well-fancied to seize the initiative in the first-leg, with a home win chalked up at just 1/2 (1.50) with Paddy Power, while Astra can be backed at a chunky 5/1 (6.0) to win in east London. The same firm go 100/30 (4.33) that Thursday’s tussle ends in stalemate.

 It is worth noting that the Hammers have won to nil in both of their previous home ties in this competition thus far this term and, with that in mind, the 11/8 (2.38) quote on offer for Bilic’s men to repeat that feat certainly carry considerable appeal here, while the even money (2.0) quote from Paddy Power for West Ham to lead by half-time is sure to prove popular with punters.

Those anticipating an easy victory for the English Premier League side may well be tempted by the juicy 7/5 (2.40) quote for West Ham (-1) in Paddy Power’s handicap market.

Astra will not travel without confidence though, having knocked out Scottish Cup holders Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the last round, while it should also be noted that Astra reached the group stages of last season’s Europa League so they know what it takes to progress in Europe's second tier club competition.