Wolverhampton Wanderers will be keen to put more distance between themselves and the relegation zone when they travel to West Ham United on Sunday
Wolverhampton Wanderers, who face West Ham United on Sunday, have been quite unlucky this season in terms of calls made against them. But to their credit, have done well to rise up the table, out of the relegation zone.
Having secured four points from their last two games, Gary O’Neil’s men now travel to the London Stadium to take on West Ham United. David Moyes’s side are coming off a 2-0 win over SC Freiburg, earning them the top spot in Group A of this season’s UEFA Europa League.
The UEFA Europa Conference League holders will now turn their attention to more pressing matters domestically ahead of the busy Christmas schedule. With games coming thick and fast, Moyes will be expected to make a few changes.
Wolves might be in the lower half of the table. But they have shown the ability to put up a fight on several occasions this season. West Ham are unlikely to have it easy and will need to be on their toes to avoid getting caught out.
More so, the Hammers were on the receiving end of a 5-0 mauling last weekend against Fulham and will be seeking an instant response. But with Wolves getting into their groove, Gary O’Neil’s side could prove difficult to take down.
West Ham have won their last three home games against Wolverhampton Wanderers, without conceding a single goal in the process. It remains to be seen if that record will continue or if O’Neil and Co will have something to take home to the Molineux. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how these two sides will line up and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
West Ham United
The Hammers look set to go deep into the UEFA Europa League this season and will also hope to finish as high up the Premier League standings as possible. Having lost to Fulham last weekend, David Moyes will be seeking an instant response from his side against Wolves.
He will, however, have to do so without Michail Antonio, who is out injured. Star midfielder Edson Alvarez is also a doubt for the game as he recovers from a slight knock.
The Hammers play Liverpool in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup next week, and Moyes is certain to have an eye on it. It will not come as a surprise should he opt to rest some of his key players on the night and bring them off the bench if needed.
A 4-2-3-1 formation appears to be the best bet for West Ham, with Lukasz Fabianski in goal. The Polish veteran should be protected by the back four of Vladimír Coufal, Kurt Zouma, Nayef Aguerd and Emerson Palmieri.
Tomas Soucek should patrol the midfield, giving Pablo Fornals and James Ward-Prowse the freedom to push forward. Mohammed Kudus and Lucas Paqueta should provide the width with Jarrod Bowen starting up top.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Fabianski; Coufal, Zouma, Aguerd, Emerson; Fornals, Soucek, Ward-Prowse; Kudus, Bowen, Paqueta
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers have, in fact, done well under Gary O’Neil despite a poor 2023 summer transfer window. Wolves are a mere ten points above the relegation zone but could have been further higher had refereeing decisions been kinder.
Despite the setbacks, Wolves continue to show fight and will be a difficult side for West Ham to overwhelm. The visitors are likely to be tenacious and will not be afraid to get stuck in when needed.
Wolves will, however, have to do so without Pedro Neto, Joe Hodge and Jonny Otto. More so, Mario Lemina and Rayan Alt-Nouri are both a doubt as they continue to recover from niggles. The latter two are likely to be rushed back to the playing XI should they prove their fitness.
O’Neil is likely to deploy his side in a 3-4-3 formation, with Jose Sa in goal. He should be protected by the back three of Max Kilman, Toti Gomes and Craig Dawson. Nelson Semedo and Alt-Nouri should offer the width as full-backs while also closing down channels for the Hammers attackers to run into.
Lemina and Joao Gomes should hold the fort in the centre of the midfield. Pablo Sarabia and Matheus Cunha will start out wide upfront with Hwang Hee-chan leading the line.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Sa; Kilman, Toti Gomes, Dawson; Semedo, Lemina, Joao Gomes, Ait-Nouri; Sarabia, Hwang, Cunha
Key Stats
- The three-game winning streak at home is West Ham’s longest such run against Wolverhampton Wanderers since 1961.
- Matheus Cunha is the third Brazilian player to make a goal contribution in five or more straight Premier League games.
- West Ham United have defeated Wolves in their last three home games at the London Stadium, while also keeping a clean sheet in all three games.
- Wolves are winless in their last 10 away games played on a Sunday.
- West Ham United have not kept a clean sheet in their last nine Premier League games.
- Wolves are without a win in their last 13 Premier League away games.
Player to Watch
James Ward-Prowse
The English midfielder has been an inspired addition to West Ham and has gone on to make a telling difference for them in the middle of the park. His ability to play out from the back and also make defence-splitting passes makes him a valuable commodity that can feed the Hammers’ frontline.
More so, Ward-Prowse is also a sensational dead ball specialist and can be a threat during set-pieces. As long as Wolves can keep him quiet, they can control the pace of the game in the middle of the park.
Prediction
West Ham United 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
The Hammers will have an eye on the upcoming game against Liverpool and might conserve their energy following the clash against Freiburg earlier this week. While David Moyes will have the better squad, Gary O’Neil’s men have shown much fighting spirit and will prove difficult to overcome. The Hard Tackle predicts a draw between two sides who can be a handful on their day.
