West Ham United vs Wolverhampton Predictions

• At least three goals have been scored in five of West Ham’s last six home league matches
• At least three goals have been scored in Wolves’ last five Premier League away games
• Both teams lost their midweek matches but West Ham’s performance was much the better of the two

Struggling sides set for ‘El Sackico’

West Ham United welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to the London Stadium on Monday night, looking to halt a two-game losing run in the Premier League. The Hammers have slipped to 14th in the table following defeats to Arsenal and Leicester and this game feels like a ‘must-win’ for their under-fire boss Julen Lopetegui.

The same is true for Gary O’Neil, whose predicament is arguably worse because Wolves are in the relegation zone. One or both of the head coaches could be gone by Tuesday morning if this result is deemed to be not good enough.

West Ham’s performance in midweek was certainly better than Wolves’ at Everton as Lopetegui’s side registered an impressive 31 shots on goal against the Foxes. The Hammers have struggled for consistency all campaign long but they remain a threat at home, with their only defeat in their last four games at the London Stadium coming against a rejuvenated Arsenal last weekend.

Wolves have the capacity to self-destruct

Wolves, meanwhile, have managed just two victories in their first 14 Premier League outings, with recent heavy defeats to AFC Bournemouth (4-2) and Everton (4-0) highlighting their defensive fragility amid a maddening injury crisis at the back.

Their soft centre was exposed by Everton on crosses and set pieces while a capacity for calamity was their undoing when conceding three penalties in the home loss to the Cherries.

The Molineux men have shown they can be dangerous on their travels, winning two and drawing two of their seven away games this season. With full-back Nelson Semedo back from suspension and attacker Hwang Hee-chan closer to full-match fitness, they should present a stronger face than they did at Goodison Park.

Capital clash could be full of goals

Wolves, while struggling defensively, have managed to score in six of their seven away matches this season and there will be opportunities for them in the capital if West Ham continue to over-commit in search of goals.

Taking the result out of the equation and focusing on the goal markets could be a good way in here with the majority of both clubs’ respective home and away games featuring three goals or more. In fact, West Ham’s last five home games have seen 18 goals scored and an average of five goals per game have been registered across Wolves’ last five road trips.

Mohammed Kudus, who has bagged in two of his last three Premier League games, could be the Hammers’ dangerman and he has regularly tormented Wolves.