Wolves head to the capital to take on West Ham in a Premier League clash dubbed the ‘El Sackico’ on Monday, and we’ve got the latest team news and confirmed line-ups, as well as a prediction alongside our preview.
West Ham vs Wolves Preview
Julen Lopetegui and Gary O’Neil go head-to-head on Monday night as West Ham host Wolves in the Premier League, a clash dubbed the ‘El Sackico’, with both managers reportedly being close to losing their jobs.
Both sides come into this one off the back of two successive defeats in the league. The Hammers suffered a bitterly disappointing 3-1 defeat away at Leicester last time out, following on from a 5-2 loss at home against Arsenal.
The East Londoners are languishing down in 14th place ahead of the tie, having earned just 15 points from 14 matches, just six points clear of relegation. Wolves, meanwhile, are in 19th place in the table on nine points after winning just two of their opening 14 league matches this term, four points adrift of safety.
A night in the capital. COYW 👊 pic.twitter.com/7TYxyMLGzH
— Wolves (@Wolves) December 9, 2024
They head into Gameweek 15 off the back of a dreadful 4-0 defeat away at Everton, with a 4-2 loss at home against Bournemouth preceding that one. Prior to these defeats, O’Neil led his side to a four-game unbeaten run, drawing against Brighton and Crystal Palace while beating Southampton and Fulham.
Last season, Wolves suffered defeats both home and away against West Ham, losing 3-0 at the London Stadium last December, before a 2-1 defeat at Molineux towards the latter stages of the campaign.
For a more in-depth statistical analysis, check out our West Ham vs Wolves stats roundup.
West Ham Team News
The Hammers were without French central defender Jean-Clair Todibo against Leicester due to a reported adductor injury, and he remains doubtful for Wolves’ visit on Monday night.
Danny Ings is also a doubt after suffering a knock against the Foxes, while fellow striker Michail Antonio will miss out on the tie after being involved in a road traffic accident on Saturday.
Niclas Fullkrug, meanwhile has recovered from an Achilles injury, and makes the bench with Crysencio Summerville leading the line instead. The German netted his first West Ham goal as a late substitute last time out.
Wolves Team News
As for Wolves, they are able to welcome back the previously suspended Nelson Semedo, but they remain without Boubacar Traore (knee), Sasa Kalajdzic (knee), Enso Gonzalez (knee) and Yerson Mosquera (knee).
Pablo Sarabia is also a doubt, with the Spaniard missing the defeat to Everton due to a calf problem.
West Ham vs Wolves Confirmed Line-Ups
West Ham Confirmed Line-up:
Fabianski; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson; Alvarez, Soucek; Bowen, Soler, Kudus; Summerville
Wolves Confirmed Line-up:
Johnstone; Doherty, Semedo, Bueno, Toti, Ait-Nouri; Lemina, Gomes; Andre, Cunha; Strand Larsen
West Ham vs Wolves Prediction
The UK’s best football betting sites are favouring the Hammers to prevail in the capital on Monday evening, and so are we, as we expect Lopetegui’s men to claim a comfortable victory to likely mark an end to O’Neil’s tenure in the Midlands.
As previously mentioned, Wolves have lost two in succession, and while West Ham boast the same record, the East Londoners have recorded impressive wins against Newcastle, Manchester United and Ipswich in recent months, thus proving that there is life yet in their squad.
We’re backing Jarrod Bowen and co. to put on a performance in this one.
Prediction: West Ham 3-1 Wolves
