Wolverhampton vs West Ham United Predictions

• Both teams have scored in Wolves’ last four games in all competitions
• Both teams have scored in four of West Ham’s last five away league matches
• West Ham have scored exactly one goal in their last nine away trips

Lowest-stakes relegation clash ever?

A clash between two clubs just above the relegation zone at this stage of the campaign can never have had so little jeopardy on it. Wolves, in 17th, take on 16th-placed West Ham on Tuesday but neither team appear to be under any drastic threat of the dreaded drop.

The Hammers are eight points clear of their hosts, so they can go out and express themselves at Molineux as they look to establish a pattern of play under Graham Potter.

Wolves have found their identity under Vitor Pereira and will look to continue the progress that has seen them move nine points clear of Ipswich. Two wins and a draw in Wolves’ last four have been enough for them to extend the gap to the bottom three and they will fancy their chances of beating the Hammers.

Pereira and new signings have boosted Wolves

Potter’s team lack potency up front and an ability to grind out results away from home, having recently been overhauled by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and failing to hold off Everton at Goodison Park.

This looks a slightly easier task on paper but Wolves are not as bad as a run of five defeats in their last eight at Molineux suggests. Two of those defeats were under Gary O‘Neil, who had lost a grip of the team’s direction and discipline, while Pereira has begun to get a tune out of their January signings.

Centre-back Emmanuel Agbadou looks like a steal and attacking midfielder Marshall Munetsi is already becoming a Molineux crowd favourite.And underperforming stars like Andre, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Johan Strand Larsen and Matt Doherty have been revitalised under the new coach.

Both teams to score at Molineux

There is fresh optimism around Molineux after a campaign in which most fans have been fearful of the future, leading to a belief that they don’t lose this game. West Ham are possibly just a half-step behind Wolves on that front, but they remain capable of earning a draw on Monday night if they can avoid any late disasters.

A Wolves team with talisman Matheus Cunha on top form could take all three points, but he is still suspended. Backing both teams to score should be the safest angle in to the clash with four of the Hammers’ last five away trips featuring goals at both ends.

Potter’s team have scored exactly once in each of their last nine away games, a run which featured three 1-1 draws. And with Wolves having drawn two of their last three contests by that same scoreline, it looks the standout play in correct score betting.