West Ham United will face Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Monday night at the London Stadium, in a game that might decide the fates of Gary O’Neil and Julen Lopetegui.
O’Neil and Lopetegui are both under pressure right now as their respective clubs struggle, and this match is building up to be fascinating. West Ham are coming off a disappointing away defeat to struggling Leicester City, while Wolves were thrashed 4-0 by Everton on Wednesday night.
Both managers appear to have been given at least one game on Monday to establish their usefulness, so it wouldn’t be surprising if one of them was fired if the outcome was disastrous. GIVEMESPORT sources reported last week that the West Ham board planned to meet with Lopeteugi following Leicester, but he will still be in charge on game day. According to reports, Wolves have previously held conversations with Graham Potter, but the former Chelsea manager was not impressed by the potential post.
On Sunday, West Ham issued a statement confirming Michail Antonio’s’stable condition’ following a road traffic accident in Essex. Antonio was conscious and speaking when he made the remark while being closely monitored in the hospital. It is safe to expect Antonio will be unavailable, but the most essential thing is that he recovers completely and returns to full health as soon as possible.
Jean-Clair Todibo is a concern for the game after missing the trip to Leicester earlier in the week, and Danny Ings will face a late fitness test after picking up a niggle.
West Ham Predicted XI
Fullkrug to start
With Antonio out injured, Lopetegui will need to make a decision in attack. Niclas Fullkrug, who earns £90,000 a week at the London Stadium and is yet to make his Premier League debut, was signed during the summer transfer window, but has struggled to make an impact thus far. The German international returned from injury last week and scored a consolation goal for the Hammers from the bench, so Lopetegui may start him.
