West Ham United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Two beleaguered Premier League managers will go head-to-head this week as Julen Lopetegui’s West Ham United host Gary O’Neil’s Wolves on Monday at the London Stadium. Both head coaches are facing job security issues because of their team’s lacklustre run of Premier League 2024 results.
After winning the 2023 Europa Conference League and finishing as the ninth seed last term, the Hammers are closer to relegation than at the top half of the English top-flight table. West Ham United are in 14th place with 15 points. They’re on a two-game losing streak and have won only one of their last five.
The Wolves have always been in the bottom half, but they’re the 19th seed with only nine points. Gary O’Neil’s men are facing an uphill climb to get out of the drop zone.
Talking Points
Lopetegui is fighting for his West Ham United job
Julen Lopetegui has won only four of his opening 14 Premier League matches despite having the financial support of the front office this summer, and it seems that everyone has turned on him.
Lopetegui was subjected to chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning” by his own supporters after Tuesday’s defeat to Leicester City amid reports that West Ham United held a board meeting to discuss the 58-year-old’s future in London. During a recent West Ham United-Wolves presser, Lopetegui said he is aware of the speculations about his head coaching job, but he said he can still turn things around if he gets more time.
West Ham United have a healthier squad this time around, as Jean-Clair Todibo is the only notable absentee for the Wolves match. Todibo missed the Leicester City game after a bust-up with Lopetegui, but the reports say that the French centre-back is dealing with an injury and could be out until next year.
Niclas Fullkrug will likely start up front to relegate Danny Ings to the bench. The former Borussia Dortmund striker finally opened his West Ham United account against Leicester City after a long injury layoff, and he might be the key to prevent Lopetegui from getting fired.
Wolves’ backline remains suspect
The Wolves couldn’t build off their 4-1 win against Fulham, as they suffered back-to-back defeats against Bournemouth and Everton. During these two losses, Gary O’Neil’s side has conceded a whopping eight goals.
Gary O’Neil could face the sack (like Julen Lopetegui), and the Wolves have reportedly looked at David Moyes and Graham Potter as his potential replacements. The 41-year-old could delay his firing if he somehow fixes their leaky defence that has already conceded a league-worst mark of 36 goals.
The immediate concern for the Wolves’ backline is their set-piece defending since they’ve surrendered 11 goals from dead-ball situations, with four of them coming against Everton last Wednesday. Injuries haven’t helped them, as they are missing Yerson Mosquera and Boubacar Traore, among others. But at least they’ve received a lineup boost in the form of Nelson Semedo, who’s back after serving his recent suspension.
History
The Hammers have won their last four Premier League home matches against the Wolves, notching a clean sheet each time. West Ham United have never secured five clean sheet league victories at home since a run between 1920 and 1958 against the Wolves. West Ham United have conceded 71 goals in 33 Premier League games in 2024 – their worst mark in a single calendar year since 1976 (73 goals in 38 games).
The Wolves won their first four Premier League games against West Ham United following their English top-flight promotion in 2018. However, they have since lost six of their last eight against them (W2).
Monday marks the 74th competitive meeting between West Ham United and the Wolves. The Hammers have the edge in the overall head-to-heads with 35 wins, while the Wolves have registered 24 wins and 14 draws.
Betting Tip
The Premier League 2024 odds expect the hosts to win. If that happens, Julen Lopetegui might get to live to fight another day. West Ham United are 1.90 favourites to win, whereas the Wolves are priced at 3.47, and a draw is at 3.49 in the 1X2 market.
SBOTOP bettors can also go for a relatively high-scoring affair because these two teams have had their share of defencive woes recently. Viable alternatives include Over 2.75 at 1.79, Over 3.00 at 2.02, and Total Goal 2-3 at 2.07. A Correct Score of 2-1 in favour of the Hammers – the result of their most recent league meeting – could give you a decent payday of 7.80.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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