West Ham vs Wolves prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2024-12-08 20:00.
[p]It appeared unlikely either would make it to this Monday night meeting of Premier League strugglers, but both Julen Lopetegui and Gary O’Neil will be in the dugout leading West Ham and Wolves respectively against sides they used to represent, whether that be on the touchline or on the pitch. Both are firmly in the last chance saloon though, leading to this clash being dubbed ‘El Sackico’.[/p]
[p]Lopetegui can perhaps consider himself unlucky to be in this situation based on Tuesday’s 3-1 loss to Leicester, as his side succumbed to defeat despite firing in 31 shots and accumulating 3.09 xG! A repeat of such wastefulness would likely prove fatal with suitors for his job reportedly being lined up, but the Spaniard can take some comfort from the fact that West Ham have won the last four home league H2Hs ‘to nil’.[/p]
[p]If West Ham are struggling, then Wolves are in a full-blown crisis, as they remain rooted inside the relegation zone after being thrashed 4-0 by an Everton side who’d failed to score in their four prior matches! Another desperate showing appears to have been the last straw for the supporters, who strongly voiced their displeasure at O’Neil throughout on Wednesday evening.[/p]
[p]Their moods won’t have been improved by the Wolves boss being nominated for the Premier League’s manager of the month for November on Thursday either. Time could well be up for O’Neil regardless of the result on Monday, as his side have conceded 4+ goals in back-to-back league matches. They’ve not conceded four in three successive league outings since September 1985, but a return of six defeats in eight Premier League H2Hs (W2) suggests they’re in danger of that here.[/p]
[p]Key battle: West Ham desperately need captain Jarrod Bowen to step up against one of his favourite opponents – he’s netted a joint-career high five Premier League times against Wolves, four of which came at the London Stadium. Looking to tie him down could well be former Hammer Craig Dawson, who may be short of confidence after marking his 300th Premier League appearance by becoming just the fifth player in competition history to score two own goals in the same match.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: West Ham have conceded 71 league goals in 2024 – their most in a calendar year since 1976 (73).[/p]
[p][i]Written by Ryan Fisher[/i][/p]