Jonty Banks

Sat 14 January 2023 14:05, UK

West Ham United have confirmed their starting XI for their Premier League fixture against relegation rivals Wolves (14 January) at the Molineux Stadium.

David Moyes will look to claim his first league win since mid-November on Saturday against a Wolves side who sit just a point behind them in 19th position in the Premier League.

As confirmed on Twitter prior to kick-off, the Hammers have made three changes to the side who drew 2-2 with Leeds United last Wednesday (4 January).

Thilo Kehrer, Craig Dawson and Gianluca Scamacca have been dropped, while Aaron Cresswell, Angelo Ogbonna and Michail Antonio have been brought into the starting XI in their stead.

Pivotal match

The West Ham United players and Moyes are both under a huge level of scrutiny following a recent dropoff in form, so claiming three points against Julen Lopetgui’s side is pivotal.

Questions surrounding the Scots leadership have surfaced in recent weeks, and another defeat to a direct rival could well prove his death knell. The disappointing loss to Brentford, followed by a draw at Elland Road, is quite simply good enough for a team with the quality of footballers West Ham possess.

The likes of Lucas Paqueta, Thilo Kehrer and Gianluca Scamacca are all internationally proven players but have failed to live up to expectations since moving to East London in the summer.

Now is the time for them to show their worth and help propel the Hammers away from the dangerously close relegation zone.

The six-pointer against Wolves really is do-or-die for Moyes and his team, and nothing less than a win is acceptable.