West Ham United will look to move outside of the Premier League relegation zone on Friday night as they welcome bottom-side Wolves to the London Stadium.
West Ham headed into the international break still a point from safety following their 2-0 defeat away at Champions League-chasing Aston Villa.
That was only the Hammers’ third defeat in their last 10 Premier League outings (W4-D3-L3), and they remain unbeaten in their previous four at the London Stadium.
Despite dramatically scoring twice to force extra-time, Nuno Espirito Santo’s hosts exited the FA Cup at the quarter-final stage last weekend as they were beaten on penalties by Leeds United.
Wolves saw their two-game winning run come to an end just before the international break, as they came from two goals down to draw 2-2 away at Brentford.
Rob Edwards’ men have now lost just one of their previous five Premier League outings (W2-D3-L1) to move within three points of 19th-placed Burnley, but still a massive 12 points behind their hosts.
How the bookies view it: West Ham favourites
Despite drawing each of their last three Premier League encounters as hosts, West Ham have been installed as favourites to secure a valuable three points, with bet365 pricing a home success at 4/5.
Wolves are 10/3 underdogs to record a third Premier League victory from their last four matches, whilst the draw is 11/4.
Head to head: West Ham to hammer home advantage
Wolves have been victorious in each of their previous three meetings with West Ham, including a thumping 3-0 win in the reverse fixture at Molineux at the turn of the year.
However, the Hammers have been victorious in each of their previous five Premier League meetings at the London Stadium, scoring 12 times and conceding just once.
Players to watch: Bowen to bag against Wolves again?
Jarrod Bowen continues to be West Ham’s talisman this season, with the ex-Hull City man scoring 10 goals and providing seven assists so far this season, including a goal contribution in seven of his past 11 appearances.
The Hammers skipper has also scored a record six Premier League goals against the Old Gold – including in each of the past three meetings at the London Stadium – and the 5/6 on offer at PaddyPower for him to Score or Assist appeals here.
Backed a player to find the net? Check our Goalscorer Betting guide to see how the markets work and where to find value.
Predicted line-ups:
West Ham will still be without Lukasz Fabianski due to injury, whilst Jean-Clair Todibo, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Crysencio Summerville and Callum Wilson are doubts.
Wolves are expected to travel to the capital without Sam Johnstone and Enso Gonzalez who are injured.
West Ham United: Hermansen, Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Disasi, Diouf, Soucek, Potts, Fernandes, Bowen, Traore, Castellanos
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Sa, Mosquera, S. Bueno, Krejci, Tchatchoua, Bellegarde, Andre, J. Gomes, H. Bueno, Mane, Armstrong
🔍 X-pert tip from The Betting Desk
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MFT’s X-pert tip: Both teams to score
Both teams to score is supported by consistent defensive vulnerability and balanced attacking output. West Ham have kept just one clean sheet at home, while Wolves have managed one away, showing both concede regularly.
West Ham’s home attack across the last four averages 1.38 xG, facing a Wolves defence conceding 1.81 xGA away, which points towards strong scoring conditions for the hosts.
Wolves also carry threat, averaging 1.10 xG across their last four away matches. Over a longer sample, West Ham concede 1.48 xGA across the last eight, with Wolves at 1.73, alongside eight and nine big chances conceded respectively. Both sides also allow high shot volumes, with West Ham conceding 4.73 shots on target and Wolves 4.47.
With both defences consistently exposed, goals at both ends is the most likely outcome.
Anything else catch the eye?
Wolves have improved in recent months following the arrival of Rob Edwards and come into this clash having lost just one of their previous six Premier League outings (W2-D3-L1).
However, they still remain winless on their travels this campaign, and face a West Ham side that have the added incentive of knowing a win will take them outside of the relegation zone until Sunday afternoon at least.
What’s more, the Hammers have won each of their past five Premier League meetings at home to Wolves – scoring 2+ goals in four (80%) of them – and I’m backing them to claim a crucial three points.
West Ham United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers Betting Tips & Predictions
West Ham United to Win
4/5
Bet365
West Ham United to Score Over 1.5 Goals
5/6
Betfred
Jarrod Bowen to Score or Assist
5/6
PaddyPower