Monday night sets the stage for a high-stakes battle between Premier League strugglers as West Ham host Wolves in what some have dubbed “El Sackico.”
Both Julen Lopetegui and Gary O’Neil find themselves under immense pressure to deliver results, adding extra tension to a matchup already fraught with drama. Remarkably, both managers have ties to their opposition, with Lopetegui having previously managed Wolves and O’Neil once representing West Ham as a player.
For Lopetegui, the situation feels particularly harsh. His side’s midweek loss to Leicester was hardly a reflection of their efforts, with West Ham producing an astonishing 31 shots and generating an expected goals (xG) figure of 3.09. Yet, they fell 3-1, a result that only intensified calls for change. While rumors swirl about potential replacements, Lopetegui can find some solace in West Ham’s dominant home form in this fixture. The Hammers have won the last four league meetings at the London Stadium without conceding a goal.
If West Ham’s struggles feel unlucky, Wolves’ plight looks far more dire. A humiliating 4-0 defeat to Everton midweek left Wolves firmly entrenched in the relegation zone. The manner of that loss, particularly against a side that hadn’t scored in their previous four matches, sparked outrage among supporters, with O’Neil bearing the brunt of their frustration throughout the night.
Adding fuel to the fire, O’Neil was ironically nominated for the Premier League’s Manager of the Month award for November shortly after the debacle. However, his position appears increasingly untenable, as Wolves have conceded four or more goals in consecutive league matches. Another defensive meltdown on Monday would see Wolves match an ignominious record last set in September 1985, highlighting the fragility of their backline. Their track record against West Ham, with six defeats in the last eight league meetings, only deepens the sense of foreboding.
West Ham, meanwhile, will be looking to Jarrod Bowen to inspire a turnaround. The Hammers’ captain has an excellent record against Wolves, scoring five Premier League goals against them, with four of those strikes coming at home. His ability to deliver on the big stage could be crucial in what is expected to be a tense encounter. For Wolves, the task of containing Bowen might fall to Craig Dawson, who has endured a difficult spell. Dawson’s recent outing saw him join an unwanted club, becoming only the fifth player in Premier League history to score two own goals in a single match.
Adding to the narrative is West Ham’s defensive frailty, a recurring theme in 2024. They’ve conceded 71 league goals this calendar year, their highest tally since 1976. Addressing those vulnerabilities will be key if they hope to avoid slipping further into trouble.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for both sides. For Lopetegui, another game of missed opportunities might seal his fate. For O’Neil, a third consecutive heavy defeat would almost certainly spell the end of his tenure. As the pressure mounts, the focus will be on whether either team can rise to the occasion and stave off deeper crises. Expect a fierce and emotionally charged encounter under the lights at the London Stadium.
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