West Ham United travel to Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday and it’s yet another big European six-pointer.
After the unfathomable collapse in the 4-3 defeat to Newcastle last weekend, West Ham bounced back with a 1-1 draw against Spurs in midweek.
Wolverhampton Wanderers were beaten 2-0 by Aston Villa before being held to a 1-1 draw by Burnley.
Seventh placed West Ham currently sit three places and points above Wolves in the Premier League table.
That will be good enough to seal a fourth season of European football for West Ham if they can hold onto it.
Early team news for Wolves vs West Ham
But there’s everything to play for come Saturday as Wolves know a win will see them leapfrog the Hammers while also having a game in hand.
Victory for David Moyes’ side could put them level on points with sixth-placed Man United depending on their result against Chelsea on Thursday night.
Former Hammer Gary O’Neil has done an excellent job at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
But he has publicly voiced his frustrations at the lack of depth available to him amid an injury crisis.
Going into the game both sides have issues, but West Ham may be feeling the more confident of the two given who may and may not be available.
Two West Ham stars are big doubts for Wolves but so is former hero Craig Dawson.
Two doubts for Hammers and Dawson rated 50-50
According to West Ham’s official preview for the game at Molinuex, both Alphonse Areola and Nayef Aguerd are doubts with groin and shoulder injuries. And they are both being assessed ahead of the clash.
“Alphonse Areola could still be absent for the Hammers after missing Tuesday evening’s draw with Tottenham through a groin injury,” the club states.
“Nayef Aguerd was also unavailable for that game with a shoulder problem, and will be assessed ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash.”
Wolves on the other hand could be missing a host of key stars.
Brilliant attacker Pedro Neto is definitely out with a thigh injury with an estimated comeback of May 11th.
Neto and Hwang also set to miss out for Wolves
Dangerous striker Hee-Chan Hwang – a one-time Moyes transfer target – is also out with a thigh injury.
O’Neil said the South Korea forward would be out for another five weeks in mid-March.
In what could be a crucial bit of team news for the game, though, Hammers cult hero Dawson is rated 50-50 with a groin issue which has kept him out of late.
“Dawson’s groin is not a serious one providing the rehab goes well,” O’Neil said back on March 16th.
“So we’re hopeful to have him back for the Villa game.”
But Dawson was not available for that or the Burnley clash.
West Ham failed to take advantage of injury-hit Newcastle
And it will make a hat-trick of games missed against the claret and blues if West Ham’s King of Lyon is not passed fit.
West Ham are looking seriously dangerous as an attacking force.
And there were signs the team had got its act together in terms of defending against Spurs too.
So the Hammers will surely fancy their chances against a weakened Wolves side.
Having said that, West Ham were similarly encouraged by the fact Newcastle were without nine first team stars for the game last weekend.
And despite losing another three in-game, the Magpies still managed to beat West Ham.
Moyes’ side won the reverse fixture comfortably at the London Stadium 3-0. A Mohammed Kudus brace and Jarrod Bowen goal came from three Lucas Paqueta assists.
Let’s hope for more of the same come Saturday.
To get yourself in the mood, re-live those goals in the highlights below.