Seeking to secure their spot in the Europa League knockout rounds, West Ham United travel to TSC Arena in Serbia to face Backa Topola in their penultimate Group A fixture on Thursday.
The two teams meet for the first time since the end of September when the Hammers claimed a 3-1 home win in the reverse fixture in East London.
The Hammers had to come from behind to beat Forest 3-2 in their final Premier League game before the international break, and they were required to do the same against Burnley on Saturday, with an 86th-minute own goal from Dara O'Shea followed by a 91st-minute strike from Tomas Soucek – his second match-winner in as many games – to seal a 2-1 success at Turf Moor.
Sitting ninth in the Premier League table, 15 points clear of the relegation zone and only three behind Newcastle United in sixth, West Ham are certainly looking up towards the right end of the top-flight standings, but they will now briefly shift their focus to Europa League action as they endeavour to claim top spot in Group A.
Nine group-stage points have been accumulated from a possible 12 available by David Moyes's men, who are aware that a victory in Serbia on Thursday will guarantee their place in the Europa League knockout rounds, although top spot cannot be secured until they face Freiburg – level on points at the summit – in their final group game in two weeks' time.
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