GSH staff predictions: West Ham United's footballing return against Wolves

West Ham United’s long-anticipated return to football is set for Saturday afternoon against Wolves, here at GSH we have discussed our predictions.

The Premier League has been away for almost three months and David Moyes and his team have been preparing for its return for over a month. West Ham’s last game way back in March was a frustrating 1-0 defeat to London rivals Arsenal.

West Ham’s preparation has been seemed relatively solid from the little news that has been released by the club. Two wins back-to-back against QPR and Crystal Palace should fill the players with plenty of confidence.

The Hammers beat QPR 4-1 and Palace 2-1 respectively, Sebastien Haller was on the scoresheet in both games. The Frenchman appears to be fit and roaring to go ahead of the restart.

West Ham will take on 7th placed Wolves in their first match back from the break. The Hammers will be looking to begin their run-in with a positive start and push themselves away from the bottom three and the threat of relegation.

Henry, West Ham 3-1 Wolves

I feel relatively positive going into the game against high-flying Wolves. West Ham has performed well in their warm-up games, which differs to the usually depressing pre-season regime of an uninspiring draw against a team from Austria.

Though those games are mostly about building fitness, I do believe positive results can help build momentum which West Ham can transfer into the competitive games that are before them. Wolves, however, have lost one game against Nottingham Forest and drawn one against Birmingham these results could be signs of their loss of steam.

Wolves, of course, have a very strong squad and players such as Adama Traore will cause plenty of issues for our full-backs, this is obviously a worry. But if they haven’t kept themselves in proper shape during the Lockdown, then West Ham could have a leg upon them.

One other thing that I think will benefit the Hammers is the added number of substitutions. For what seems like the first time in forever there is almost a fully fit squad at the club and this depth will prove crucial for the East London side.

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Jeremiah, West Ham 1-1 Wolves

Football is back! Will we get the disappointing West Ham or the exciting one? I’ll split it down the middle and say both. The whole idea of no fans aloud seems strange and will be for the players, I’m sure.

That issue impacts both sides, and I think that momentum from before will be brought back down to earth. Wolves are fierce but the Hammers will etch out a goal and play tight in the back.

Louis, West Ham 2-1 Wolves

It’s not exactly an easy result to predict as, of course, neither team has played in over three months. I am feeling optimistic, however, and if we can rekindle the form that we were showing before the hiatus, then I think we will have enough to overcome a tough Wolves side.

Our attack was beginning to click, so I think we are capable of finding the net on a regular basis during the run-in. It is up to the defence to remain solidified if we are to pick up vital points as games approach us thick and fast.

Haller and Bowen to get on the scoresheet as we gain an invaluable win.

Jeff, West Ham 1-1 Wolves

Trying to come up with a prediction for this game is a challenge. Fact is, the sport has never gone through anything like this before. On the positive side, the Hammers squad is fully healthy giving David Moyes a lot of selection headaches ahead of the re-start vs Wolves.

More from Green Street Hammers - West Ham

We also have no idea what tactics he’s been working on during the return to training. And no player is in or out of form yet. Watching some of the Bundesliga matches as well as the first two EPL midweek games, the play has understandably more resembled pre-season rather than the high-intensity end of season sprint to the finish to stave off relegation we are hoping to see.

The five subs rule also figures to make this more like a friendly. But with the current depth, the squad seems to have that could play into the Irons favour. West Ham was in a relegation fight on March 7 and that is where they find themselves with 9 matches left.

This game is at home. Having no fan support is going to add to the weirdness, but any time a team does not have to travel, especially now, I take that as a good thing. Prior matches have shown there are probably not going to be a lot of goals and the teams will not be fully match-fit. So I am predicting this to be a 1-1 draw.

West Ham will use all their subs, look dangerous at times frustrated by their inability to finish their chances, but feeling good about taking the point and moving on to the next match vs Spurs midweek.

Adam, West Ham 1-1 Wolves

Call it cautiously optimistic, but as much as a fluke as it was for Declan Rice to get a chance and run with it under Moyes originally, we could see West Ham transformed with Rice back at CB. Wolves are a fast, counterattacking team whose awkward formation can cause some issues for the opposition.

That being said, if the Hammers can stick together defensively their offensive skill can produce a result here. I’m not audacious enough to call a win but a draw would be a big success. Call the goal an Issa Diop setpiece finish.

Aaron, West Ham 2-1 Wolves

I predict that West Ham will take the match 2-1 on Saturday with Sebastian Haller continuing his form from the friendlies and getting on the scoresheet.

Jarrod Bowen will also find the net as he begins to weave his own Tevez-like story as the Hammer’s talisman for the final nine games of the relegation battle.

So overall, a positive start is predicted for the Hammers by the GSH staff, as they look to secure their place in the Premier League for the 2020-21 season.

GSH staff predictions: West Ham’s footballing return against Wolves

By Henry Tomlinson | Jun 19, 2020