West Ham United welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to the London Stadium on Sunday, with both sides hoping to enhance their European aspirations.
Just two points separate the teams in the Premier League table, with sixth-place West Ham leading seventh-place Wolves.
This move was 🔥 from start to finish...#WHUWOL https://t.co/RDhPeC4xAq pic.twitter.com/nFzojyIdra— West Ham United (@WestHam) February 23, 2022
This move was 🔥 from start to finish...#WHUWOL https://t.co/RDhPeC4xAq pic.twitter.com/nFzojyIdra
Given that fourth-place Manchester United are just four points ahead of the Hammers, both these sides are still in with a real chance of securing Champions League football for next season.
Following back-to-back defeats to Leeds and Manchester United in January, West Ham appear to be heading in the right direction again.
The Hammers have avoided defeat in each of their last three Premier League games, beating Watford before drawing with Leicester and Newcastle.
It is worth noting, however, that David Moyes’ men have only managed to pick up a single victory in their previous six matches across all competitions.
With the top-four race heating up, West Ham can’t afford to drop too many points between now and the end of the campaign if they’re serious about playing Champions League football next season.
As for Wolves, they were beaten 2-1 by Arsenal on Thursday. Bruno Lage’s side took the lead early in the first half but ended up conceding two goals after the 80th minute.
Still, it is worth noting that Wolves have won five of their last seven Premier League games and have lost just two of their previous nine.
Only two sides – Manchester City and Chelsea – have conceded fewer Premier League goals than Wolves’ 20.
At the opposite end of the pitch, however, just two teams – Burnley and Watford – have scored fewer Premier League goals than Wolves’ 24.
Head-to-head: In the reverse fixture back in November, Wolves claimed a 1-0 victory over the Hammers at Molineux.
It is worth pointing out that Wolves have won five of their last seven Premier League meetings with West Ham, suffering just two losses along the way.
Team news: West Ham will be without the injured trio of Vladimir Coufal, Manuel Lanzini and Angelo Ogbonna on Sunday. Arthur Musuaka is also a doubt.
On the flip side, Nelson Semedo and Willy Boly are both injury doubts for Wolves. But Pedro Neto is back following a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Although the Hammers are enjoying an impressive campaign, Wolves are expected to come away from the London Stadium with all three points.
Forebet predicts that Wolves will keep a clean sheet on Sunday, scoring over 1.5 goals on their way to victory.