Preview: West Ham v Wolves – Points to prove
Wolves make their first ever trip to the London Stadium to take on West Ham United.
Wolves correspondent Tim Spiers previews the clash.
Preamble
Wolves have rightly earned plenty of plaudits for holding Manchester City to an unlikely draw – and for their enterprising attacking play during an unlucky defeat at Leicester.
Plaudits are great – but Wolves want points.
If Nuno Espirito Santo's team have genuine ambitions of a top half finish they know they have to back up performances with results, preferably starting tomorrow.
After a tricky opening three fixtures against teams that finished eighth, ninth and first last season, they now have in front of them a more appetising run of fixtures with West Ham, Burnley, Southampton, Crystal Palace, Watford and Brighton to play in their next seven matches.
The Hammers are rock bottom of the early Premier League table after losing their opening three fixtures, to Liverpool, Bournemouth and Arsenal.
The London Stadium hasn't exactly been 'home sweet home' for West Ham, with the stadium witnessing ugly scenes at times last season.
In that respect the first goal is crucial. An opening goal for Wolves and the home crowd could start to turn.
Wolves are yet to lose under Nuno after taking the lead – the head coach's philosophy of control works perfectly when they're ahead – and their target will be to start like they did at the King Power Stadium, only this time take any chances that come their way.
West Ham are by no means to be underestimated though, despite their slow start. Under new boss – and Premier League title winner – Manuel Pelligrini, an attacking philosophy has returned after a negative approach under ex-boss David Moyes angered the Hammers faithful.
After a huge outlay of more than £100million this summer, West Ham are expected to be challenging for the top half...which is exactly where Wolves would love to be, too.
Tomorrow's clash will offer a decent clue as to which of these historic English clubs has the potential to do so.
The opposition
Luke Hatfield spoke with four West Ham reporters to get the full lowdown on the Hammers.
Team news
Danger-man Marko Arnautovic has recovered from a knee problem he picked up during last weekend's defeat to Arsenal and should start, having trained since Tuesday.
Mark Noble has been struggling with a back issue but should also be fit.
Manuel Lanzini (ACL), Andy Carroll (ankle) and Winston Reid (knee) are long term absentees.
Ivan Cavaleiro remains Wolves' only absentee, with a back injury.
Jonny Castro Otto hobbled off with cramp towards the end of the draw with Manchester City but had recovered to take a place on the bench in midweek.
Big money signings Adama Traore and Leander Dendoncker are pushing for their first league starts for the club but Nuno is expected to name the same XI that held City, with Helder Costa surely doing enough to earn another start in that game despite Traore's cameo.
Likely line ups
West Ham (4-4-1-1): Fabianski; Fredericks, Balbuena, Diop. Masuaku; Snodgrass, Noble, Wilshere, Antonio; Anderson; Arnautovic.
Wolves (3-4-3): Patricio; Bennett, Coady, Boly; Doherty, Moutinho, Neves, Otto; Costa, Jimenez, Jota. Subs: Ruddy, Dendoncker, Saiss, Vinagre, Gibbs-White, Traore, Bonatin
Key players
West Ham – Marko Arnautovic
Austrian forward who became West Ham's talisman last season after joining from Stoke for £20million. Scored 11 in 35 for the Hammers and has continued that form this season with two in three.
Wolves – Raul Jimenez
Wolves will look to take the game to the Hammers and Jimenez's link play will be crucial.
The bosses
Manuel Pellegrini: "It's the second game at home. We lost the first one, so we must win this one. I've seen the three games Wolves have played and they believe in what they do."
Nuno Espirito Santo: "We need to be more organised after scoring a goal so not to give the ball away. But we are always improving and playing good football."
Form
West Ham WLLLW
Aug 28: AFC Wimbledon 1 (Pigott 2) West Ham 3 (Diop 63, Ogbonna 83, Hernandez 90+2) *Carabao Cup
Aug 25: Arsenal 3 (Monreal 30, Diop OG 70, Welbeck 90+2) West Ham 1 (Arnautovic 25)
Aug 18: West Ham 1 (Arnautovic 33 pen*) Bournemouth 2 (Wilson 60, Cook 66)
Aug 12: Liverpool 4 (Salah 19, Mane 45+2, 53, Sturridge 88) West Ham 0
Aug 3: Angers 0 West Ham 1 (Hernandez 24) *pre-season
Wolves WDLDW
Aug 28: Sheffield Wednesday 0 Wolves 2 (Bonatini 53, Costa pen 85) *Carabao Cup
Aug 25: Wolves 1 (Boly 53) Manchester City 1 (Laporte 69)
Aug 18: Leicester City 2 (Doherty OG 29, Maddison 45) Wolves 0
Aug 11: Wolves 2 (Neves 44, Jimenez 80) Everton 2 (Richarlison 17, 67)
Aug 4: Wolves 2 (Boly 49, Jimenez 55) Villarreal 1 (Moreno 18) *pre-season
Past five meetings
Jan 16, 2016 (FA Cup): West Ham 1 (Jelavic 84) Wolves 0
Jan 1, 2011 (PL): West Ham 2 (Zubar OG 51, Sears 79) Wolves 0
Oct 16, 2010 (PL): Wolves 1 (Jarvis 10) West Ham 1 (Noble pen 53)
Mar 23, 2010 (PL): West Ham 1 (Franco 90) Wolves 3 (Doyle 28, Zubar 58, Jarvis 61*)
Aug 15, 2009 (PL): Wolves 0 West Ham 2 (Noble 22, Upson 69)
Referee
Chris Kavanagh (Lancashire)
Kavanagh showed 102 yellow and four red cards in 30 matches last season.
The 33-year-old's last Wolves game was against Derby in 2017 when he sent off Ivan Cavaleiro for a headbutt.
Match odds
West Ham 6/4, draw 9/4, Wolves 7/4
