Having beaten Wolves home-and-away last season, West Ham are targeting three successive victories in this fixture for the first time since 2004, having won each of their last four home games against Wolverhampton Wanderers, all without so much as conceding a goal.
West Ham United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers Preview
After both were embarrassingly beaten last time out, whichever manager loses this one could be on the brink of the sack, making victory for both of paramount importance. Six nights ago, despite mustering 31 shots, including 20 in the first half, West Ham United were beaten 3-1 by fellow-strugglers Leicester at the King Power, with Niclas Füllkrug's first-ever Premier League goal coming in stoppage time, after thousands of unhappy hammers had already headed for home.
Having been smashed 5-2 at home by Arsenal in the game beforehand, 4-0 down inside 36 minutes of that one, there has been much speculation that Julen Lopetegui's very brief reign in East London could be about to come to a premature end, with the Irons 14th in the table, closer to the bottom three than the European spots. Thus, one suspects this is simply must win for Lopetegui and, in a twist of fate, it is his former employers, led by the man that succeeded him in the Black County, who are visiting.
Wolverhampton Wanderers meanwhile, unlike their hosts, are current occupants of a bottom three position, having been ignominiously smashed 4-0 by Everton at Goodison last Wednesday night, with the Toffees actually finding the net on six occasions, meaning only the offside flag spared he visitors from a serious shellacking. Gary O'Neil's team had also shipped four last weekend, with Bournemouth cruising to victory at Molineux, despite having actually been unbeaten in four beforehand, enjoying back-to-back victories over Southampton and Fulham, themselves scoring four at Craven Cottage little over a fortnight ago, but that'll feel like a different era for many Wolves supporters.
The Old Gold's two other fixtures prior to Christmas are Ipswich (H) and then Leicester (A) so, should they fail to get back on track against a trio of relegation rivals, O'Neil too might be out of work this Christmas, with this game seeing him face the side for whom he appeared on 56 occasions. Thus, on paper, this may not be the most glamorous of Monday night extravaganzas, but it's certainly of vital importance to both, so who will prevail at the London Stadium?
West Ham United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 73.
- West Ham United Wins: 35. Draws: 14. Wolverhampton Wanderers Wins: 24.
West Ham United Team News
Jean-Clair Todibo missed the defeat at Leicester for ambiguous reasons, there were reports he had a falling out with Julen Lopetegui, hence why Konstantinos Mavropanos started at the King Power, so it'll be interesting to see if the Frenchman is back in for this one. Meantime, Emerson is likely to return at full-back, after Vladimír Coufal was given a rare start, while Lucas Paquetá, Crysencio Summerville and Michail Antonio were also unceremoniously benched six nights ago, with Danny Ings leading the line. Injury has prohibited Niclas Füllkrug from having any discernible impact at West Ham so far but, having bagged the consolation last Tuesday, can he kick-start his Hammers career? Emerson, Tomáš Souček and Paquetá are all one yellow card away from a ban.
West Ham United predicted lineup vs Wolverhampton Wanderers: (4-2-3-1): Fabiański; Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Emerson; Souček, Paquetá, Bowen, Soler, Kudus; Füllkrug.
West Ham United Players to Watch vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Mohammed Kudus was suspended for a whopping five games, following his red card at Tottenham, before returning to the team against Leicester, so now can he rediscover his best form, having scored a brace when Wolves most-recently visited the London Stadium 12 months ago?
Wolverhampton Wanderers Team News
Nélson Semedo can return, having served his one-match ban at Goodison, while Toti could also be recalled to the back-line, with Gary O'Neil very short of defensive options, given that Yerson Mosquera and Bastien Meupiyou are sidelined long-term. In attack, Gonçalo Guedes started a Premier League game for the first time in 753 days against Everton, so will he keep his place or will fit-again Hwang Hee-chan or perhaps Jean-Ricner Bellegarde come in? A booking for Toti, Rayan Aït-Nouri or João Gomes would see them sit out Saturday's crucial clash with Ipswich.
Wolverhampton Wanderers predicted lineup vs West Ham United: (3-4-3): José Sá; Dawson, Toti, Lemina; Semedo, André, João Gomes, Aït-Nouri; Bellegarde, Strand Larsen, Cunha.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Player to Watch vs West Ham United
Wolves are already in trouble, but without Matheus Cunha they'd be truly doomed. The Brazilian had scored in four successive Premier League away games, prior to the abomination on Merseyside, so can he rediscover his midas touch?
West Ham United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers Prediction
Wolves have lost each of their last four matches at the London Stadium, failing to score in any of them, a streak we're forecasting will continue. This game is unlikely to be a thriller, but we're backing West Ham to, just about, make home advantage count: West Ham United 1-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers.
West Ham United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers FAQs - Premier League
How to watch West Ham United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers Premier League game on TV channel?
West Ham United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers Premier League game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: Sky Sports Main Event, Premier League & Ultra HD.
- USA: fuboTV, NBC, Telemundo & Deportes En Vivo
- Canada: Fubo Sports Network Canada
How to watch West Ham United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers Premier League game on live streaming?
West Ham vs Wolves Premier League game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: SkyGo & NOW TV
- USA: fuboTV, nbcsports.com, USA Network, Telemundo & SiriusXM FC
- Canada: fuboTV Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for West Ham United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League?
West Ham United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers takes place on Monday 9 December 2024, with kick off at 20:00 (GMT), 15:00 (EDT) & 12:00 (PST).