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9 months ago
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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.
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.
The Hammers can stay top of the Europa League's Group A by beating the Serbian minnows on Thursday evening.
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.
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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.
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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 Kaoru Mitoma, 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 underwa
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Key Updates
Key clashes for the English teams in the Europa League
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