Follow Mail Sport’s live blog for all the latest scores, team news and updates as West Ham travel to Backa Topola and Brighton are in action against AEK Athens in the Europa League

Topola are growing in confidence

The home side have begn to trouble West Ham a little but here. No clear cut chances as yet but they are enjoying possession in deep.

Midfielder Dakovic managed to find a pocket of space in the middle before having a shot that was blocked behind for a corner.

Freiburg two up against Olympiacos

The Bundesliga side have got off to a fast start thanks to a brace from Gregoritsch.

The Hammers will join them in the next round with a win.

Chance for Topola

An early warning for West ham. The home side showed their quality on the ball with some neat interchange on the right before striker Milovanic snatched at his shot from the edge of the area.

It was an easy enough save for Fabianksi but a warning that Topola are more than comfortable playing it around themselves.

West Ham dominating the play

As expected the Premier League side are enjoying the majority of the ball but Topola’s defence has remained strong in the early moments.

They are deploying a discplined back five that is proving difficult to break down at the moment.

Bright start from the Hammers

The away side got themselves an early corner kick after Cresswell’s cross was deflected behind. West Ham decided not to fling it into the box and failed to create a chance from the short option.

And we’re off…

West Ham get the game underway.

Hammers out onto the pitch

West Ham players are out at the TSC Arena. We’re just minutes away from kick-off in Serbia.

Kick-off fast approaching

We’re just 10 minutes from the action in Serbia and Athens.

Hinshelwood follows in Jude Bellingham’s footsteps

Brighton’s Jack Hinshlewood is the youngest English player to start a Europa League match since Jude Bellingham, who did it at exactly the same age!

Hammers are warming up

Not long left to go until the 5.45pm kick off.

BACKA TOPOLA, SERBIA - NOVEMBER 30: Lucas Paqueta of West Ham United and Said Benrahma of West Ham United interact prior to the UEFA Europa League match between FK TSC Backa Topola and West Ham United FC on November 30, 2023 in Backa Topola, Serbia. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)
Soccer Football - Europa League - Group A - TSC Backa Topola v West Ham United - FK TSC Stadium, Backa Topola, Serbia - November 30, 2023 West Ham United players during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Marko Djurica
BACKA TOPOLA, SERBIA - NOVEMBER 30: Said Benrahma of West Ham United warms up with teammates during the UEFA Europa League match between FK TSC Backa Topola and West Ham United FC on November 30, 2023 in Backa Topola, Serbia. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)

Moyes insists Mubama ‘deserves his opportunity’ to start

‘He deserves his opportunity.’ The West Ham manager told TNT Sports ahead of the clash. ‘He’s been knocking on the door and training well. He had an impact against Burnley and he’s been around the first team.

‘He’s no stranger to it. Hopefully he can perform and get us a couple of goals.’

BURNLEY, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: West Ham United's Divin Mubama celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the Premier League match between Burnley FC and West Ham United at Turf Moor on November 25, 2023 in Burnley, United Kingdom. (Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)

The ‘remarkable’ rise of Backa Topola

West Ham fans seem unconvinced.

With the club’s Europa League tie imminent, the tone at the London Stadium is somewhat muted. David Moyes‘ side could yet turn out to more than 20,000 empty seats in the capital, dampening what should be a momentous occasion.

The cost of the tickets has been cited as a factor, but some have pointed the finger at the opposition. First time in the pot, the Hammers have drawn TSC Backa Topola, a little-known Serbian side who unglamorously crashed into the competition by virtue of an awkward 7-1 aggregate defeat by Braga in Champions League qualifying.

CLICK BELOW TO READ MORE OF OUR PROFILE BEFORE THEIR FIRST MEETING.

Tickets are scarce for the Hammers

With a stadium capacity of 4,500, Topola’s home ground will invite just 300 West Ham fans for tonight’s game.

Sure they’ll still make themselves heard when teh action gets underway.

EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Dimitrije Vasiljevic/Shutterstock (14232704i) TSC Arena, the home of Backa Topola Backa Topola v West Ham United, UEFA Europa League, Group A, Football, TSC Arena, Backa Topola, Serbia - 30 Nov 2023

A peak inside the away dressing room

Brighton have found wins easier to come by in the Europa League than the Premier League in recent weeks, beating Ducth giants Ajax home and away before ending a winless run in the top-flight last weekend.

Can they avoid defeat and prolong their maiden European voyage?

How things stand

The Hammers have a bit of a cushion to third place and could still qualify with a draw tonight. However, Brighton have AEK breathing down their necks with only a three point gap.

Brighton team news

De Zerbi makes four changes to his team as Fati and Lamptey, who both picked up injuries in the win over Forest, are replaced by Mitoma and Igor.

Youngste Jack Hinshelwood gets his first taste of Europa League action in midfield.

Moyes warns his West Ham stars NOT to underestimate Backa Topola

David Moyes says West Ham will not make the mistake of underestimating Backa Topola when they walk out at the TSC Arena, a minute stadium with a 4,500 capacity.

Yet Moyes insists they cannot be lulled into a false sense of security just because the ground holds fewer fans than most of those in England’s National League.

CLICK BELOW TO READ MORE.

West Ham team news

Moyes makes seven changes to the team that claimed a late comeback win against Burnley. Mumaba leads the line for the Hammers in Serbia.

Brighton fear they could be without Ansu Fati for three months

Brighton fear they could be without Ansu Fati for three months with a hamstring injury.

Concerns have also been raised over the fitness of Tariq Lamptey but the Seagulls believe his issue is not as bad as first thought and could be back sooner than expected.

CLICK BELOW TO READ MORE.

AEK Athens v Brighton key facts

  • Roberto De Zerbi’s side lost the only previous meeting of the teams, going down 3-2 at home on matchday one.
  • AEK are just three points behind the Seagulls in Group B and currently hold the better head-to-head record.
  • The hosts will be without regulars Harold Moukoudi, Jens Jonsson, and Levi Garcia.
  • Meanwhile, Brighton are missing Pervis Estupinan, Adam Webster, Danny Welbeck, James Milner and Solly March.
  • Ansu Fati is also a long-term absentee.

Backa Topla v West Ham key facts

  • The Hammers will be without Jarrod Bowen, who was absent from last weekend’s victory over Burnley with a knee issue.
  • David Moyes’s side are also missing Michail Antonio for the fixture.
  • West Ham won the only other meeting between the two sides, coming from a goal down to win 3-1 in matchday one.
  • The hosts are on a poor run of form and have won just two of their last 13 games.
  • Topola managed to claim an impressive draw against Olympicos in their first home game in the competition.
  • The match is taking place at the TSC Arena in Serbia.

Key clashes for the English teams in the Europa League

Good evening and welcome to the Mail sport’s coverage of West Ham’s trip to Serbia to take on Backa Topola. We’ll also have updates from Brighton’s clash with AEK Athens in Greece.

Both Premier League sides go into the games knowing a victory will seal a place in the knockout stages of the competition, though the size of their tasks are vastly different.

Even will the absence of a few key performers, the Hammers should be able to cruise to victory, having responded from a shock concession to win 3-1 when the side’s played in London.

However, the Seagulls match up against the team that left the Amex will all three points in matchday one, who sit just a place behind them in the standings. Another defeat for Roberto De Zerbi’s men at the hands of the Greek team would leave their destiny out of their hands going into the final set of games.

It’s going to be an entertaining one and we’ll have all the news for you ahead of the kick-off at 5.45pm before live updates when the action gets underway.

EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Dimitrije Vasiljevic/Shutterstock (14232704g) TSC Arena, the home of Backa Topola Backa Topola v West Ham United, UEFA Europa League, Group A, Football, TSC Arena, Backa Topola, Serbia - 30 Nov 2023
Key Updates

  • And we’re off…
  • Brighton team news
  • West Ham team news
  • Key clashes for the English teams in the Europa League

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