The forthcoming match between West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers, scheduled to take place at the London Stadium on Saturday, epitomizes a clash between struggling teams in the English Premier League.
West Ham finds themselves in dire need of a resurgence, with manager David Moyes facing considerable scrutiny as he endeavors to motivate his team towards victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers, who are also grappling with their form.
Despite securing victories in their first two Europa Conference League encounters, West Ham’s domestic performance has been lackluster, with only one win in seven league fixtures (D1, L5). Consequently, they currently find themselves positioned in the relegation zone, sharing points with Nottingham Forest and holding a slight three-point lead over Leicester City, who occupy the bottom position.
The recent performance against Everton before the international break revealed West Ham’s lethargic and uninspired display, compounded by Neal Maupay’s second-half goal, amplifying pressure on manager Moyes. This slump marks West Ham’s worst league performance since 2003, with a six-game winless streak further highlighting their struggles.
In desperate need of a victory to reignite their season, West Ham perceives an opportunity against Wolverhampton Wanderers, who are only marginally ahead in the league standings, just two points and one place above them.
Meanwhile, Wolverhampton Wanderers’ four-game unbeaten streak was abruptly halted by Manchester City, leaving them with just one victory this season (D3, L3). Criticism has been directed towards their offensive prowess, or lack thereof, with a mere three goals scored and seven conceded, placing them in danger of slipping into the relegation zone.
Recent history may provide some solace for West Ham, having emerged victorious in three of their last four encounters against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Such statistics could bolster their confidence, although Moyes is acutely aware that securing all three points is imperative to stave off further speculation regarding his managerial position.
Match Preview
West Ham United
Despite investing ₤30 million in acquiring Gianluca Scamacca and breaking their club’s record fee to secure the services of Lucas Paqueta, West Ham United has encountered difficulties in scoring goals.
The team has managed to find the back of the net only three times, placing them among the league’s weakest attacks, alongside Wolves. The ongoing absence of Scamacca from the starting lineup has attracted attention and speculation.
Despite recording only two defeats in their last seven matches, West Ham’s overall performance remains disappointing, reflected in their current position at 18th in the Premier League table. Consequently, there is a pressing need for an injection of attacking prowess.
It is evident that manager David Moyes favors Michael Antonio as the leading striker. However, Moyes may need to reassess his tactical approach in the upcoming fixtures, as the team’s performance in these games could significantly impact his tenure at the club.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers, akin to West Ham, have managed to secure only three goals thus far in the current season. However, in contrast to their counterparts, they have grappled with injuries within their attacking contingent.
Notably, Raul Jimenez has commenced merely two matches this season, while the newly acquired Sasa Kaladjzic endured a disappointing debut against Southampton, being substituted at halftime due to injury.
Manager Bruno Lage may find solace in the fact that his team boasts one of the strongest defensive records on away fixtures this season, sharing the honor of conceding just three goals with four other teams.
Nonetheless, Wolverhampton Wanderers’ performance on the road has been lackluster, as they remain winless in seven consecutive Premier League away games since their victory over Everton in March. Moreover, their inability to secure a win at West Ham’s ground dates back to the 2020/21 campaign.
West Ham United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers Potential Line-ups
West Ham United (4-2-3-1): Lukasz Fabianski; Vladimir Coufal, Thilo Kehrer, Kurt Zouma, Aaron Cresswell; Declan Rice, Thomas Soucek; Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta, Maxwel Cornet; Gianluca Scamacca.
Wolverhampton Wanderers (4-3-3): Jose Sa; Jonny Otto, Toti Gomes, Max Kilman, Rayan Ait-Nouri; Ruben Neves, Matheus Nunes, Joao Moutinho; Pedro Neto, Hee-Chan Hwang, Daniel Podence.