Wolverhampton Wanderers have won four straight Premier League games against West Ham. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo will expect his team to post a fifth straight win against the Hammers when they visit the London Stadium this weekend.
West Ham started the campaign in poor form, losing two games from two possible. David Moyes’ team is in chaos. After losing on opening day to Newcastle United, 2-0, the Hammers fell again on matchday 2 to Arsenal, 2-1.
The London club picked up a Carabao Cup third round win in midweek against Hull City, 5-1. West Ham are playing well in the cup but struggling to step up to Premier League quality.
Wolverhampton Wanderers did not play in midweek having already been eliminated from the Carabao Cup. Santo’s team will be rested compared to the potential squad Moyes picks for the game.
Santo could give a debut to new signing Nelson Semedo. Wolves signed the full-back from Barcelona this week for £37 million, a club record. He joins a new-look defence featuring Marcal and Ki-Jana Hoever. Wolves sold forward Diogo Jota to Liverpool last weekend for £40m.
West Ham had two players test positive for COVID-19 this week. Issa Diop and Josh Cullen both tested positive, and they will isolate for the next two weeks. Mark Noble and Sebastien Haller are both doubts for the game due to their respective leg injuries.
Santo is unlikely to have Marcal available due to an injury suffered last weekend versus Manchester City. He joins full-back Jonny Otto on the sidelines. Otto has a serious knee injury he is rehabbing.
Wolverhampton Wanderers haven’t just won games against West Ham in their last four Premier League games, but have kept clean sheets in all four matches. Wolves have been brilliant defensively and should continue their strong defensive play against the Hammers at the weekend.
More bad news came out of West Ham this week as star academy product Declan Rice moves closer to the exit. It is claimed Rice has agreed personal terms with Chelsea and will move to the club before October 5.
His desire to leave West Ham magnify the problems at the club and players uninterested in playing for Moyes. West Ham’s chaos and form will see them lose a third straight league match.
Wolverhampton Wanderers may not keep a clean sheet this time around as the defence’s new players get to know each other. Santo’s team will claim a victory, however. Expect both teams to score and over 2.5 goals tallied with Wolves winning a fifth straight game against West Ham.