In their first European match in almost nine years, West Ham United opened up a comfortable first-leg advantage against Lusintanos in the first round of qualifying for the Europa League.

A big win was expected against the minnows from Andorra, but the Hammers might just have a little bit to think about after scoring only three at home last week.

Lusitanos

Xavi Roura's men came second in the four-team Andorran playoff system, which comes into effect after 14 rounds of the 20-game season in the Primera Divisio, earlier this year to reach the Europa League qualifying.

In four of the previous five seasons, they have reached qualifying for either the Champions League or Europa League, but gone out heavily in the first round each time to opponents from Macedonia, Croatia, Malta and the Faroe Islands.

Many thought that West Ham might reach double figures last week at Upton Park, but Lusitanos didn't make it easy for the Premier League side, conceding three goals in an 18-minute spell either side of half time.

Roura's men didn't have a single shot on target, but they did have three attempts on goal and will hope to have more success back home in familiar Pyrenean territory.

Defeat to West Ham in the opening leg means that Lusitanos have won just one of their last six matches in all competitions.

Recent form: DLDLWL

West Ham

It could have been Slaven Bilic's first game in charge of the Hammers last week, but instead the new boss decided to watch from the stands and allow academy coach Terry Westley to lead the team.

Bilic still got a big ovation when he was introduced in front of a sell-out Upton Park crowd, but his decision not to take charge angered opposite number Roura, who said that Bilic showed a "lack of respect".

The Hammers squad has been split into two - one is still working on training in pre-season, the other playing these two legs against Lusitanos - and it is unlikely that Bilic will be on the touchline as Westley has worked closely with the second outfit.

Victory last week got West Ham back to winning ways after they finished the 2014-15 season with three straight defeats in the Premier League.

If West Ham come through as expected, in the next qualifying round they will face either Malta's Birkirkara or Armenian side Ulisses FC, with their tie locked at 0-0 after the first leg.

The East London side last appeared in a European competition when the Europa League was called the UEFA Cup in 2006-07, losing 4-0 on aggregate in the first round to Italian side Palermo.

Recent form: DWLLLW

Team News

A mix of youth and experience was chosen to be part of the first leg for West Ham and a similar starting lineup should be named for the second leg.

Diafra Sakho bagged a quickfire brace at the end of the first half after a slow start by the hosts and he could continue in attack with Mauro Zarate.

Reece Oxford became the Hammers' youngest-ever player and could start again after coming through 90 minutes five days ago.

For the hosts, Roura could make changes as he needs goals. Andorran veteran Oscar Sonejee will be hoping to start after being named on the bench at Upton Park.

Lusitanos possible starting lineup:
Gerardo, Acosta, M San Nicolas, Munoz, Romero, dos Reis, Aguilar, Molina, L San Nicolas, Sonejee, Maciel

West Ham possible starting lineup:
Randolph, O'Brien, Tomkins, Burke, Page, Amalfitano, Oxford, Poyet, Jarvis, Zarate, Sakho

Head To Head

The first leg between the two was their first meeting and also the first time that West Ham have come up against an opponent from Andorra, the sixth-smallest nation in Europe.

Thursday's match takes place in Andorra La Vella, which is the highest capital city in Europe due to its location in the Pyrenees.

We say: Lusitanos 0-3 West Ham

The Hammers were slow to get going in the first leg and they will be keen to get out of the blocks quicker on Thursday so that they can kill the tie off early. Any goal for Lusitanos will give them hope and given the high altitude, they might just be more adept at playing 90 minutes in the mountains. West Ham should still have enough defensively to keep the home side out.