Wolves v West Ham Preview – All you need to know as Irons aim to buck trend
West Ham will be looking to capitalise on Chelsea and Tottenham slipping up this evening when they travel to Molineux and take on Wolves.
David Moyes’ side can go back into fourth with a win. With eight league matches to go, it could be a significant twist in the race for the Champions League spots.
The Hammers will be looking to change their fortunes tonight. You’d have to go back to 2009 for the last win away to Wolves in the league. Mark Noble and Matthew Upson scored in a 2-0 victory on the opening day of the 2009/10 season.
Traditionally, Wolves have been a real thorn in the side of West Ham. Of the 11 Premier League meetings, Monday’s hosts have won five times, the Hammers three, and three draws. Tonight is a chance of a first league double since the 1922/23 season for West Ham.
Moyes and co ended a four-game losing streak against Wolves in September. Jarrod Bowen scored twice as we won 4-0 at the London Stadium. Prior to that, we hadn’t scored against Wolves in four top-flight meetings.
We’ll certainly have to buck the recent trend if we’re to pick anything up this evening. One man to keep an eye on is Portuguese superstar Pedro Neto. The 21-year-old is Wolves’ top scorer this season with five Premier League goals and five assists.
His fellow countryman Ruben Neves has come into a run of form, too. The midfielder has scored two in his last four matches, away to Southampton and Newcastle.
West Ham have no new injury concerns to report ahead of the clash. Pablo Fornals is expected to be fit, he’s missed the last two league matches with a muscular problem. Arthur Masuaku could make the squad for the first time in 2021 – he played for the development squad before the international break.
The clash comes too soon for Angelo Ogbonna and Andriy Yarmolenko. Ogbonna is said to be making good progress, whilst Yarmolenko is seeing a specialist about a ligament issue.
Nuno Espirito Santo will be able to select his first-choice goalkeeper Rui Patricio [Birmingham Mail]. He suffered a head injury against Liverpool before the international break and was kept home as a precaution.
Daniel Podence could make his first appearance in seven league matches. Raul Jimenez is still thought to be some way off a return. He is back in training which is excellent news.
Kick-off tonight at Molineux will be at 8:15pm, live on Sky Sports. It’s arguably the biggest game of our season, we can go into the last eight games in pole position for Champions League football should we pick up a win.
Come on you Irons!
In other West Ham news, Jesse Lingard’s value has reportedly risen by this much.