Simon Stone
BBC Sport at the London Stadium

West Ham manager David Moyes is out watching the warm-ups.

His arms are folded tight across his chest.

He was watching his own side, then he switched to AZ Alkmaar - he just kicked a stray ball back to one of their players - and now back to his own side again.

I suspect the Scot is experiencing a few nerves.

Nigel Reo-Coker
Former West Ham midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

You'd hope that the club takes their time [deciding David Moyes' future].

You have to give credit to West Ham. Even with the difficult season that they have had, we've seen numerous changes being made by other clubs, and they have still stuck with David Moyes.

It looks like they will be safe in the Premier League for another year, but you still keep hearing mumblings over managers that are available. But the grass isn't always greener.

They need to take their time, and look at it properly after the season has come to an end.

West Ham boss David Moyes believes his side are playing their best football at the right time of the season as they look to win this competition.

Should they come out on top against AZ Alkmaar, West Ham will reach their first European final in 47 years.

"I do believe we're playing some of our best stuff just now," Moyes said earlier this week.

"I remember Sir Alex Ferguson always used to talk about that, this was the time of year where you had to be at your best."

West Ham United

West Ham manager David Moyes, speaking on BT Sport: "We've got to try and make sure we always give ourselves a chance of staying in the game. We probably can't win it in the first minute but we can lose it and be chasing the game like last year. It is about understanding what the moment means. We're hoping we can take it a step further tonight.

"We are not in as high a league position as we'd like, they've got a lot of momentum because they've been winning a lot of games. They've got a lot of talented young players, this will be a big occasion for them too.

"We had some big nights last year, probably some of the best in this stadium and hopefully tonight will be another of those."

Alistair Bruce-Ball
Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live

West Ham have played 12 games in this competition this season, worked ever so hard to get to this point, and won 11 of them. They have been formidable in this competition.

Then you get AZ Alkmaar who had to come through three qualifying rounds just to get to the group stage. Having finished fifth last season in the Dutch league, they had to go through two, two-legged ties just to get into this competition. They've played 16 games in this competition, won 13 of them.

They are full of young exciting talent, and I think they'll give West Ham a real game over the two legs.

AZ Alkmaar are fourth in the Dutch Eredivisie and have won three of their past four games in all competitions.

Nobody gave me a letter of thanks when I came into the office today. I did get biscuits though. I reckon that's a win.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at the London Stadium

The West Ham media team handed a lovely note round to those who were in the media room this evening.

Obviously it has no bearing on the result but it is the kind of thing that makes you hope this is a good night for the club.

Image source, BBC Sport

Glenn Murray
Former Brighton striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

I imagine it will be a welcome surprise for West Ham fans to see Kurt Zouma back in the starting side.

They'll be glad he has made it. He is known for being a bit of rock, for his experience and organisational skills.

I really don't think David Moyes would risk him if he wasn't fully fit and felt as though he can get through the 90 minutes.

AZ Alkmaar are in their first European semi-final since reaching the last four of the UEFA Cup in 2005 where they lost to Sporting on away goals.

AZ were runners-up in the 1981 UEFA Cup final losing to Ipswich Town 5-4 on aggregate in the final.

They're currently fourth in Eredivisie, two points off Ajax in third and a place in the Europa Conference League qualifiers.

Image source, Getty Images

AZ are a side who are used to operating on a lower budget - and with a smaller infrastructure - than their rivals, both at home and in Europe.

Take tonight's opponents as an example. To the summer of 2021, West Ham's total revenue was £192.1m, compared to AZ's £19m (21.08m euros). West Ham's wage bill was £128.45m, compared to AZ's £14.13m (16.2m euros). London Stadium has a 62,500 capacity compared to AZ's AFAS Stadium, which holds 19,500.

Domestically, eight Dutch clubs have a bigger ground than AZ, who are dwarfed by Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord.

Yet with three games of the domestic campaign remaining, AZ are well placed to secure their fifth top-four Eredivisie finish in six seasons. They need four points to guarantee European football once more.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at London Stadium

Kurt Zouma’s return is good news for West Ham.

The former Chelsea man has hardly played with Nayef Aguerd this season due to both men having injury issues but for a game as important as this, manager David Moyes will be glad to have the pair together.

UEFA’s official team list has Declan Rice playing in the middle of a back five but that won’t be happening. The England man will be in central midfield as usual.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Build-up to West Ham's game has just got going on BBC Radio 5 Live.

We'll have live commentary from kick-off.

Nigel Reo-Coker
Former West Ham midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

It hasn't felt like a remarkable season for West Ham fans because of how well they did in the previous season, particularly in European competition.

With the performance last season, the expectation levels rose tremendously, and with the signings they made too [in the summer], it has made this season difficult to swallow - they know what this team is capable of.

Any European trophy is huge - it's a recognition of being one of the better teams in Europe. Regardless of how the Conference League is looked upon, it is still success. It's creating a winning mentality and also adding another trophy to your club, which brings more recognition on the world stage.

Image source, Getty Images

Last year, West Ham's European dreams were ended in the Europa League semi-final by Eintracht Frankfurt.

Defender Aaron Cresswell and manager David Moyes were both sent off in a heated second leg in Germany as West Ham failed to set up an all-British final with Rangers.

Moyes' side fell to a 3-1 aggregate defeat meaning their wait for a major trophy ticked over into a 43rd year.

Can they go one better this season?

Image source, Getty Images

Like the look of that team Hammers fans?

Have your say. The best way to get in touch is to tweet us using #bbcfootball

David Moyes make two changes to the West Ham side that beat Manchester United last time out.

Alphonse Areola replaces Lukasz Fabianski in goal while Kurt Zouma has recovered from an ankle injury and starts ahead of Angelo Ogbonna.

West Ham XI: Areola; Kehrer, Zouma, Aguerd, Cresswell; Soucek, Rice; Bowen, Paqueta, Benrahma; Antonio.

Subs: Fabianski, Anang, Johnson, Fornals, Lanzini, Downes, Cornet, Ings, Emerson, Potts, Mubama.

Former Brighton and Arsenal keeper Matt Ryan is in goal for AZ tonight having joined the side from F.C. Copenhagen in January.

Up top, Greece striker Vangelis Pavlidis starts. He's netted five goals in this competition so far, only three players have scored more.

AZ Alkmaar: Ryan; Sugawaram Beukema, Hatzidiakos, De Wit; Ckasie, Mijnans, Reijnders; Odgaard, Pavlids, Van Brederode.

Subs: Verhulst, Deen, Mihailovic, Barasi, Lahdo, Bazoer, Vanheusden, Buurmeester, Meerdink, Goes.

We've also got Roma, Juventus, Fiorentina, Bayer Leverkusen, Sevilla and FC Basel in European semi-final action tonight.

More on that later.

First though, it's time for some team news...

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham United at London Stadium in a European semi-final.

The Hammers are peaking at just the right time. Now Dutch side AZ Alkmaar stand between them and a first European final since 1976.

The first leg gets going in just over an hour. Let's do this.