West Ham United v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Follow LIVE text commentary

23 March 2010 20:00
West Ham United v Wolverhampton Wanderers

Follow every kick as West Ham United take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League
on 23-Mar-2010, kick off time 20:00

West Ham United v Wolverhampton Wanderers Live


Wolverhampton Wanderers have the chance to move even further away from the relegation zone when they face a West Ham United side at Upton Park that have lost their last four matches. Mick McCarthy's side moved above the Hammers at the weekend when they secured an impressive 2-2 draw at Aston Villa, a result which came on the back of a 2-1 victory at Burnley. In contrast Gianfranco Zola's team, who seemed to have banished any drop concerns when they beat Birmingham City and Hull City in successive games last month, have slumped to 17th after recent defeats to Manchester United, Bolton Wanderers, Chelsea and Arsenal. Portsmouth are virtually certain to be relegated, while the form of Hull City and Burnley is so bad that they appear the likeliest candidates to be joining them in the Championship next term, but Zola will be desperate to secure a victory against Wolves that will open up some daylight between his team and the bottom three. Zola has Scott Parker and Carlton Cole available again after the former was rested as a precaution, while the striker came on as a late substitute on Saturday against Arsenal, hitting the woodwork in the closing stages. Manuel de Costa serves the last game of his three-game ban, while Zola will assess the fitness of Julien Faubert, Herita Ilunga, Danny Gabbidon, Kieron Dyer, Jack Collison, Mark Noble and Benni McCarthy before selecting his starting eleven. Wolves have no injury concerns or suspension worries as McCarthy attempts to gain revenge for the opening weekend defeat to the Hammers at Molineux. On that occasion, goals by Noble and Matthew Upson helped West Ham get their season off to the best possible start as they claimed a 2-0 victory, although that has proved to be their only away success of the season as they have failed to taste victory in their last 15 away matches.

Source: DSG