AEK defender Domagoj Vida plays a horrific backpass without looking to see where his keeper is, and Cican Stankovic just gets across in time to stop it on the line.

Brighton left-back Jack Hinshelwood is the youngest English player to start a Europa League match since Jude Bellingham in February 2022 for Borussia Dortmund vs Rangers.

The 18-year-old wins a free-kick.

It's all West Ham but their final pass is letting them down. The home keeper has yet to be tested.

Image source, Reuters

AEK Athens have a chance with their first attack - but actually the offside flag is up - Steven Zuber's shot wouldn't have counted even if Bart Verbruggen hadn't saved.

This might be a small ground but the home fans are making themselves heard. There's a few empty seats visible even though it only holds 4,500.

Lewis Dunk flicks on the resulting corner but Evan Ferguson can't get onto it.

Early chances for Brighton striker Evan Ferguson. He runs in behind and sees his first shot saved by the keeper at the near post and his second attempt blocked by a defender.

Bright early start for the Hammers who are on the front foot straight from the off. They win an early corner but it's dealt with by the home defence.

Will Brighton and West Ham do the business? We're getting under way in Greece and Serbia.

Steve Sidwell
Former Brighton midfielder on TNT Sports

Brighton need to show their personality, their DNA. I really fancy them to win tonight.

Brighton & Hove Albion

Roberto de Zerbi, speaking to TNT Sports on Kaoru Mitoma's return: "He’s one of the most important players to us. He is better and in a good condition, we don’t want to take a risk but he is important."

On Jack Hinshelwood playing left back: "Jack is very young but older than his age he is important and he deserves to play"

On what to expect from AEK Athens: "We are here to win for sure, but the game will be tough to win. We have to play our best, with personality and keeping our style, our DNA."

West Ham saw their proud record of going 17 matches unbeaten in Europe ended by Olympiakos on 26 October.

But they still remain in pole position to reach the last 16, lying level with Bundesliga side Freiburg at the top of Group A.

"When we first got into Europe, we wanted the supporters to enjoy their trips, enjoy going away, behave well and hopefully see their team do well," said Hammers boss David Moyes.

"Hopefully they would all stand back and say we've had a couple of really good years in Europe."

Image source, Getty Images

After playing in 12 different countries in European competition over the past two-and-a-half seasons, Serbia is the 13th different country West Ham have visited since qualifying for the Europa League in 2021-22.

James Jones, We Are West Ham, external

It seems crazy that despite West Ham winning three in a row and losing just one of their past five outings, there are still fans calling for David Moyes to be sacked.

The entire point of football is to win matches. How they are won varies depending on style, quality and a fair bit of luck along the way - but essentially, if you win matches you're doing something right.

Yet, there are still pockets of the fanbase who are unhappy with Moyes' style of play. It's understandable, as it's not exactly easy on the eye and it often leads to us having to grind out victories against teams we would expect to beat on paper. But football matches aren't won on paper.

The past three seasons have seen us finish in the top seven twice, reach a Europa League semi-final and win the Europa Conference League.

This season, we're ninth in the Premier League, on the verge winning our European group for a third consecutive season and have a spot in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after thrashing Arsenal.

Genuinely, what more could you ask for?

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham boss David Moyes on facing Backa Topola: "I find every game in Europe difficult. Nothing is easy and we're fully aware of the good result they had at the weekend. We respect all the opponents we play. We will try to win. We're in a strong position in the group."

Roberto de Zerbi thinks Joao Pedro could be the next player to leave Brighton for big money if he can reach his full potential.

The 22-year-old forward, who starts tonight, is the joint-top scorer in the Europa League this season, and has scored eight goals for Albion in all competitions.

"I think Joao is a potential crack," said the Italian. "He has to improve, he knows very well what I want about his improvement. But he is improving.

"The last period he has improved and if he plays like [he did against] Nottingham Forest, Marseille in the second half, like Ajax, I think he can reach a different level in his career.

"I am working for him. If he follows me when I try to explain his improvement, I think he can reach a big, big, big level - and Tony [Bloom] will be happy."

Brighton's record signing Pedro said the way he was welcomed to the club since he arrived from Watford has helped his on-field performances.

"I think everyone knows when you change teams the first season is difficult," he added.

"But how the players, the staff and everyone in Brighton helped me, this has helped me a lot to do my best on the pitch. Now I have to keep doing what I do on the pitch."

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham are playing in a ground with a capacity of just 4,500.

David Moyes' side have had a couple of decent away wins in the Premier League this season.

But can they do it on a late November night in northern Serbia?

West Ham United

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham boss David Moyes, speaking to TNT Sports about Divin Mubama: "He deserves his opportunity. He's been knocking on the door and training well. He made an impact at the weekend. He's been around the first team and been involved in a lot of these games in the last year, so he's no stranger to it. Hopefully he will do well and get a couple of goals."

On qualifying for the knockout rounds tonight: "It is really important if we can do so. We've still got another game if we don't. If we can do it tonight it will be great. We've done well in Europe and away from home in the past few years and it would be nice to do the same tonight."

On what to expect from Backa Topola: "Their results haven't been particularly great but they had a great result at the weekend. They are a threat at set pieces but they are a really well organised team and they make it hard to break them down, but we also need to watch out for the counter-attack."

Brighton fan Norman Cook, more commonly known as DJ Fatboy Slim, is performing in Athens after the game.

He told the Albion Unlimited podcast: "It’s such an interesting time to be an Albion fan.

"We were looking really good but we’ve been decimated by injuries so we’re not firing on all cylinders.

“But it’s a really exciting time. Win or lose, stand or fall, it’s a fabulous time for the Albion.

“You’re not an Albion fan for many years without knowing defeat. I take defeat very well. It will be a nice atmosphere I hope and as a DJ, I’m hoping for a draw because that will be the best atmosphere at the gig afterwards.

“But as an Albion fan, I want us to win!"

Listen to Albion Unlimited on BBC Sounds

Image source, PA Media

A Thursday night game somewhere in Europe has become the norm for West Ham fans.

David Moyes' side have clocked up tens of thousands of air miles after reaching the Europa League semi-finals in 2021-22 followed by last season's Europa Conference League triumph.

The Hammers have already visited Germany and Greece in the Europa League this season. Hundreds of West Ham fans have made the trip over to Serbia for tonight's game.