Wolverhampton Wanderers Match Preview
Before West Ham United kicked off against London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night, they had momentarily slipped to eighth place in the Premier League table. However, the 1-1 draw against Ange Postecoglou’s side meant that they jumped back into seventh position ahead of their second away game in the space of a week when they face Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux this afternoon.
Wolves Head-Coach Gary O’Neill is hoping to avoid a third consecutive defeat against David Moyes here, as the Scotsman not only beat him when the two sides met in Stratford back on December 17 but he also led the Hammers to the double over O’Neill’s AFC Bournemouth side last season.
The Irons are looking for only their third win of 2024 and will want to add to the home side’s poor run of current form.
If the former Irons’ midfielder achieves victory today, then his current side will move above their opponents, so it is crucial that the East Londoners claim a first victory in the Black Country since April 2021 ahead of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final first-leg against Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen in just five days time.
Both teams played out 1-1 draws on Tuesday night with Wolves taking a point away from newly-promoted Burnley so it will be interesting to see who has made the better recovery.
The West Ham team that started four days ago played the whole encounter, meaning changes may well be in consideration here.
Edson Álvarez is available for this game but he is then suspended for the trip to Germany so he could start in the West Midlands, while Michail Antonio could make his 300th appearance for the club, if he retains his place.
Łukasz Fabiański started the home fixture against Wolves and will again deputise for Alphonse Areola who is still struggling with the groin injury sustained on Tyneside a week ago.
Nayef Aguerd was rested for the match against Brentford on 26 February but has picked up a shoulder injury in recent weeks and Moyes stated in his pre-match news conference on Friday that although the defender is now back in training, he will have to be assessed.
The match is a 3pm kick-off and the referee is Tony Harrington.