Two of the Premier League’s bottom four clubs meet at the London Stadium today when West Ham entertain Wolves, where a win for either side would help to blow some of the early-season pessimism out of view. The Irons have sent Wanderers packing in three of the clubs’ last four tussles and David Moyes’ charges have been priced as favourites to prevail again this evening.
Below, you can find a collection of stats for the clash featuring information on shots, xG, goals, corners, cards and more. Hopefully, our stats pack will provide a useful reference point for the bet builders out there.
Predicted Lineups
West Ham have had few injury issues ahead of today’s game and David Moyes is almost certain to construct his team based around his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.
The central defensive partnership of Thilo Kehrer and Kurt Zouma has experienced teething problems, though they should both play again here. Lucas Paqueta will hope to hit his first goal or assist of the season, as will out-of-form Jarrod Bowen.
Sasa Kalajdzic and Raul Jimenez are both out injured for Wolves, while defender Nathan Collins is suspended following his dismissal against Manchester City before the international break.
Diego Costa will be pushing to start for the first time, though the veteran hasn’t made a competitive appearance in 2022 and he might have to feel his way into the action from the bench.
Team Stats
West Ham are the joint-lowest scoring team in the Premier League this season alongside Wolves and besides hitting the net just three times, the Irons have posted a poor 1.24 xG for and 2.86 shots on target figures per 90 minutes.
West Ham have been collecting very few cards (1.14 p/90), though they could probably do with an injection of aggression today.
Wolves have been even more toothless than West Ham this term according to their xG for (0.94 p/90), while Wanderers have been just as poor as the Hammers in the shots on target (2.86) and shots for (11.71) per 90 categories.
Wanderers have conceded two fewer goals than West Ham however, indeed, before they were turned over 3-0 by Man City last week, Wolves had shipped just four times in six assignments.
Player Shots and Shots on Target
Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paqueta arrived through the door late in the transfer window, but already the ex-Lyon star is performing well for West Ham in terms of shots (1.08) and shots on target (1.08) per 90.
Tomas Soucek (1.57 shots p/90) brings potency to the table with his late runs into the box from deep and ability to get on the end of set pieces, however, Michail Antonio (1.49 shots, 0.40 shots on target p/90) has enjoyed little success.
Portuguese trio Goncalo Guedes (2.35 shots per 90), Daniel Podence (1.75) and Pedro Neto (1.72) have all flattered to deceive in the final third for Wolves this season, while compatriot Ruben Neves (1.57) has been trying in vain to make a goal-scoring impact from deep.
The absence of a genuine centre-forward from the list highlights how much Wolves have missed the injury-prone Mexican, Raul Jimenez.
Player Goals and Assists
Michail Antonio, Pablo Fornals and Thomas Soucek have provided a single goal apiece this season and West Ham have yet to score more than once in a Premier League fixture this season.
Jarrod Bowen, Gianluca Scamacca, Manuel Lanzini, Maxwel Cornet and Said Benrahma haven’t scored a solitary Premier League goal between them this term.
Daniel Podence is Wolves’ leading scorer with two goals this season and the diminutive winger bagged his second of the campaign in Wanderer’s last Premier League victory over Southampton on September 3rd.
Goncalo Guedes, Hwang Hee-Chan and Matheus Nunes have chipped in with an assist each, though highly-regarded forward Pedro Neto has nothing to show from seven starts.
West Ham Cards
Thilo Kehrer hasn’t endeared himself to West Ham supporters with his early performances and the struggling German has been carded twice in five league appearances since his switch from PSG.
Lucas Paqueta’s (3.89 fouls p/90) physicality might have surprised those expecting nothing but silky touches from the Brazilian, while Michail Antonio (1.40 fouls) has cut a frustrated figure up front at times.
The dancing feet and trickery of Portuguese pair Goncalo Guedes (fouled 3.95 times p/90) and Daniel Podence (1.52) should cause problems for West Ham’s defenders today, particularly Thilo Kehrer – a defender both Wolves attackers will be keen to isolate.
Johnny Castro’s (2.03 dribbles p/90) shimmies forward down the wing could be cut off by Lucas Paqueta when the West Ham man springs wide to fulfil defensive responsibilities.
Match-Ups to watch
Thilo Kehrer vs Diego Costa/Goncalo Guedes
Vladimir Coufal vs Daniel Podence
Lucas Paqueta vs Ruben Neves
Wolves Cards
Bruno Lage likes his Wolves midfielders to bare their teeth in the middle of the pitch and starting trio Ruben Neves (4 cards), Matheus Nunes (20.08 fouls p/90) and Joao Moutinho (1.96) certainly know how to get stuck in when required.
Powerful Irish defender Nathan Collins (2 cards) puts his physical attributes to good use most of the time, though he does catapult himself into some silly challenges. The 21-year-old is suspended today, however.
With Wolves midfield doing the majority of the team’s dirty work, bettors should look to the West Ham combatants likely to be on the receiving end in similar areas this evening.
Jarrod Bowen (fouled 2.61 p/90) should find that Joao Moutinho pays him special attention when the experienced campaigner shuffles wide to help out Rayan Ait-Nouri, while Pablo Fornals (fouled 1.00 times p/90) could get similar treatment from Matheus Nunes on his side.
More centrally, Lucas Paqueta (fouled 2.22 times per 90 minutes) should have his movements tracked by Ruben Neves in the spaces just outside Wolves’ penalty area.
Match-Ups to watch
Joao Moutinho vs Jarrod Bowen
Matheus Nunes vs Pablo Fornals/Maxwell Cornet
Ruben Neves vs Lucas Paqueta
