2021-22 Premier League: Week 27 – West Ham vs Wolves

West Ham welcome Wolves to London Stadium in a blockbuster Super Sunday showdown in the race for a top four finish.

Victory would see West Ham return to fifth in the table, whereas Wolves can climb above the Hammers into sixth with a win.

 

Team News

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Andriy Yarmolenko is ruled out for West Ham after the club gave “him a few days off” for personal reasons, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Manuel Lanzini (Achilles) will be in contention but Arthur Masuaku (knee) is a doubt for this match.

Angelo Ogbonna (knee) and Vladimir Coufal (hernia) remain ruled out.

Wolves could welcome Willy Boly back from a calf injury if he is declared match fit.

Nelson Semedo (hamstring) is ruled out.

 

Stat Attack

• West Ham have won just two of their last seven meetings against Wolves (W2, L5).
• Wolves have won two of three previous visits to London Stadium (W2, L1).
• Both teams have scored in just one of their last seven meetings, as West Ham won 3-2 at Molineux in April 2021.
• Five of Jarrod Bowen’s eight league goals for West Ham this season have been scored on his left foot.
• Thursday’s defeat at Arsenal marked the first time this season that Wolves have lost an away game from a winning position this season.

 

Prediction

Having seen their top four ambition take a hit in recent weeks, this is an absolute must-win for West Ham but they need to start taking their chances again after struggling to impose themselves on Newcastle last weekend despite defending well.

Wolves meanwhile will feel hard done by after a tough late defeat at Arsenal on Thursday because despite getting outplayed in attack, they were clinical with their opportunities and defended well until they were caught out twice late on.

Patience and quick imposition therefore feel likely to be important here because both teams look confident in attack, yet defence looks set to be key so I am anticipating a competitive if tense encounter so a draw would be a fair result despite both teams needing a win.

Prediction: West Ham 1-1 Wolves

Result: West Ham 1-0 Wolves