Two under-fire managers clash on Monday night as West Ham United host Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League.
Irons boss Julen Lopetegui, who previously coached Wolves, and visiting manager Gary O’Neil are under immense pressure heading into this game, with performances and results having been sorely underwhelming for the duo this season. Defeat on Monday could lead to his sacking, with former West Ham manager David Moyes among those linked with the Wolves head coach job.
Neither team has impressed this season and both come into this encounter having lost their last two games. For West Ham, there was embarrassment Defeat by 5-2 against Arsenal followed by a frustrating 3-1 defeat at Leicester City, while Wolves have conceded four in their last setbacks against Bournemouth and Everton.
here it is 90 minutes guide for a crucial clash in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
West Ham vs Wolves head-to-head results (last five games)
Current form (all competitions)
|
West Ham |
Wolves |
|---|---|
|
Leicester – West Ham 3-1 – 03/12/24 |
Everton 4-0 Wolves – 04/12/24 |
|
West Ham 2-5 Arsenal – 30/11/24 |
Wolves 2-4 Bournemouth – 30/11/24 |
|
Newcastle 0-2 West Ham – 25/11/24 |
Fulham 1-4 Wolves – 23/11/24 |
|
West Ham 0-0 Everton – 09/11/24 |
Wolves 2-0 Southampton – 09/11/24 |
|
Nottingham Forest 3-0 West Ham – 02/11/24 |
Wolves 2-2 Crystal Palace – 02/11/24 |
|
country |
TV channel/live broadcast |
|---|---|
|
united kingdom |
Sky Go UK, NOW, SKY GO Extra, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Ultra HD |
|
united states |
fuboTV, nbcsports.com, NBC Sports App, UNIVERSO NOW, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, USA Network, UNIVERSO |
|
canada |
fuboTV Canada, Fubo Sports Network Canada |
West Ham revealed that Michail Antonio has been involved in a traffic accident and the Jamaican international will subsequently miss the clash with Wolves afterwards underwent surgery. Danny Ings and Jean-Clair Todibo are also doubts for the visit of the Midlands side.
Niclas Fullkrug returned against the Foxes after almost three months out of action and scored during his final cameo. The German will wait a few more minutes on Monday and may be rushed into the starting lineup.
Mohammed Kudus also returned against Leicester after missing the previous five games through suspension. The Irons could be in for a big performance from the Ghanaian at the London Stadium.
West Ham’s predicted line-up against Wolves (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson; Alvarez, Soucek; Bowen, Package, Kudus; Full circle.
O’Neil has several absent due to injuries ahead of the trip to London, with Yerson Mosquera, Boubacar Traore, Enzo Gonzalez and Sasa Kalajdzic unavailable. Pablo Sarabia is also a doubt after struggling with his fitness in recent weeks. The Spaniard has not played since the beginning of November in the victory against Southampton.
Craig Dawson will be hoping for a luckier night on Monday night, if he plays, after scoring two own goals in the 4-0 defeat at Everton in midweek. Defensive issues have been a constant problem for O’Neil, but he welcomes Nelson Semedo back from suspension.
Wolves will rely heavily on the individual quality of Matheus Cunha at West Ham, while Jorgen Strand Larsen will be responsible for carrying the goalscoring load. The duo could make the difference in the capital.
Wolves predicted line-up against West Ham (4-2-3-1): Healthy; Semedo, Bueno, Toti, Ait-Nouri; Lemina, J. Gomes; Bellegarde, Cunha, Guedes; Strand Larsen.
Picking a winner between two of the division’s most inconsistent and uncertain teams is tricky, with West Ham and Wolves desperate for some respite. This could be the last nail in the coffin for Lopetegui or O’Neil.
West Ham’s sloppiness cost them defeat against Leicester in midweek, but they offered much more at the King Power Stadium than Wolves on their trip to Goodison Park. The capital club are five points clear of their fellow strugglers and can extend their lead over their next visitors to eight points with a nervy win.
