James Buttler looks ahead to the Monday evening in the Premier League as The Hammers host Wolves and finds the very best bets.
Wolverhampton Wanderers travel to London on Monday evening with pressure mounting to whirlwind levels. Manager Gary O’Neil is in the last chance saloon when it comes to seeing in 2025 as Wolves manager and the team is down in 19th position in the Premier League table with only woeful Southampton beneath them.
Wolves were battered 4-0 away on Wednesday evening by an Everton side that had been struggling to recall what scoring a goal felt like, to make it two defeats in a row where Wolves have shipped four goals. What makes that even more disappointing would be that they had won their previous match 4-1 at Fulham, but that joy was short-lived. An average of five match goals per Wolves game over their last three is worth sticking into the memory banks as we frame some bets.
It’s not all Christmas carols and seasonal frivolity at the London Stadium either with Julen Lopetegui feeling the heat. West Ham lost 3-1 away at Leicester on Tuesday evening off the back of a 5-2 home defeat to Arsenal. Again, loads of goals in those matches and also loads of chances against the Foxes but the Hammers kept on missing the target, rather than hitting the nail on the head.
If there is a loser on Monday evening the beaten manager will have few complaints if the axe falls on their managerial dreams.
Lopetegui might be buoyed by the knowledge that West Ham have won the last four home league matches against Wolves ‘to nil’. Wolves have suffered six defeats in eight Premier League matches against West Ham, only winning twice in that period, and surely West Ham can add to their misery. It’s a lowish bar, but West Ham in 14th are the better of the two sides and they are 10/11 with 888sport to take the three points.
Jarod Bowen had scored five times against Wolves, four at the London Stadium and he’s 41/20 to hit the back of the net again.
And, back to the match goals markets. Match goals has been a theme in both sides’ recent fixtures and with defences creaking, that trend is likely to continue. West Ham have conceded 71 league goals in 2024, their most in a calendar year since 1976 when they leaked 73. And Wolves are leaking like a freezer with its power chord cut. Even over 2.5 match goals at 8/13 isn’t a bad shout, but there’s more juicy and achievable prices with over 3.5 at 33/20 and over 4.5 at 4/1 decent punts. Take your pick.
James’ Premier League Tips
West Ham to win at 10/11
Jarod Bowen to score anytime at 41/20
Over 4.5 match goals at 4/1
Put those selections into a BetBuilder and add in over 10.5 corners to boost the price and you get a succulent 20/1 with Unibet.
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