Wolverhampton Wanderers Match Preview

Those West Ham United fans who made the trip to The King Power Stadium on Tuesday night would have been disappointed with the result. Now their team have to bounce back in what has become an even bigger game at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers tonight.

This is the last of the three matches that Julen Lopetegui’s men will have faced in such a short period, as following this game, they then have a full week to prepare before they are on the road at AFC Bournemouth. With that in mind, they will be wanting to atone for the outcome against the newly-promoted Foxes.

Gary O’Neill’s team are under similar pressure to get a result and it is fair to say that the omens are not on their side here, as Wolves were one of only two teams that they achieved the double over last season and given their competitive record against teams managed by their former midfielder, the home faithful will be desperate to see that record extended.

Only two weeks ago back on November 25, the Hammers returned from Newcastle with an unexpected three points. Can they conjure up more Monday magic here?

This may not count for much but one factor in the home side’s favour is that they have had one extra day’s preparation ahead of the contest, whereas the men from the Black Country come into this game having lost 4-0 on the road at Everton on Wednesday.

The two sides have already met this season back in July when both participated in the Sunshine State Tour in Florida and Wolves ran out 3-1 winners. Lopetegui won’t want his former club to repeat that trick this time around.

There is often a special atmosphere when the Irons play under the lights but having lost their last two played under these conditions, they really need to recapture that spirit amongst the majority of the support.

Emerson Palmieri, Lucas Paquetá and Crysencio Summerville were all left out of the starting line-up six days ago and will hope to be restored for tonight’s encounter, while Niclas Füllkrug will be looking to play some part after scoring a late consolation last time out.

Michail Antonio will be unavailable for the foreseeable future. Vladimír Coufal and Edson Alvarez will be among those that may retain their places.

Jean-Clair Todibo will have to be assessed to see if he can return to the defence.

The two managers won’t be the only ones facing their former club tonight, as fellow defenders Max Kilman and Craig Dawson will also be coming up against familiar faces.

The match is an 8pm kick-off and Sky Sports will again screen live coverage of the fixture with build-up beginning at 6:30pm. The referee is John Brooks.