Match Preview: West Ham United - Head-to-Head, Statistics, Team News and Predicted XI
08.09.26, 10:00 Updated 08.09.26, 10:13 4 Minute Read
Matt Bottomley
Bolton Wanderers time in the Championship does not get easier, as they host West Ham United at the Toughsheet Community Stadium on Tuesday night.
The Whites are hoping to end a run of three straight defeats, whilst the Hammers are looking for their fourth win their last three games.
Steven Schumacher has a number of selection issues heading into the match, but will be hoping his side can re-find the grit that helped them pick up four points in the league so far, and get a result at home.
Head-to-Head
Bolton Wanderers record against West Ham is rather good, especially at home. The Hammers have not beaten the Whites at home since 1995, two years before the Whites move away from Burnden Park.
The last time the Irons headed to this part of Lancashire, you have to go back to 2011, when both sides played in the Premier League. That matchup ended the way a lot do between the sides, with a Bolton win. Daniel Sturridge netted twice, with Chung-Yong Lee scoring in between to secure a comprehensive win for the home side, in a season that saw West Ham relegated.
The two teams have met just once in the last 15 years, with the meeting coming in the EFL Cup in 2017. The Hammers would win 3-0 that day, with Wanderers staying in the Championship in dramatic fashion that campaign.
Last Five Results
West Ham United 3-0 Bolton Wanderers - EFL Cup - 19 September 2017
Bolton Wanderers 3-0 West Ham United - Premier League - 9 April 2011
West Ham United 1-3 Bolton Wanderers - Premier League - 21 August 2010
West Ham United 1-2 Bolton Wanderers - Premier League - 6 March 2010
Bolton Wanderers 3-1 West Ham United - Premier League - 15 December 2009
Key Statistics
- West Ham United have displayed their goal scoring power in recent weeks, netting 13 goals in their last five matches in all competitions.
- Bolton Wanderers on the other hand, have shipped seven goals in their last two Championship matches.
- West Ham United's Jarrod Bowen ranks third in the Championship for big chances created, after five games in the league.
- Bolton Wanderers top scorer is Sam Dalby, with two goals, whilst West Ham United have two players on two goals, in Divine Mukasa and Joel Piroe.
- Bolton Wanderer currently sit 21st in the Championship, whilst West Ham United, tipped for promotion this season, sit in 8th.
Team News
Bolton are facing a dilemma in defence heading into this match. Both Lewis Brunt and Akin Famewo picked up injuries in the loss against Millwall, with the pair expected to miss at least this game. Whilst Famewo, who has played at left-back in recent games, has cover in the form of Max Conway, it is different picture on the other side.
Brunt and Luca Stephenson are now both out with injury, leaving Gaizka Larrazabal, who did not make the squad on Saturday, as the only available right-back option for the Whites.
Josh Sheehan will be available for the game with Bolton successfully appealing his red card.
West Ham have their own injury issues as well. Valentin Castellanos picked up a knock at the weekend, whilst it is not yet known if Pablo Felipe, who had the same issue, will be available on Tuesday night.
Tomas Soucek remains out for the away side as he continues to recover from an injury the midfielder suffered this summer.
“You can stand and admire a team if you want to, but eventually they're (West Ham) going to find a way to beat you. Or you can go and have a go, go toe-to-toe and see what you've got, and if they're really good, fair play to them.”Steven Schumacher
Predicted XI
Bonham; Conway, Toal, Forino, Larrazabal; Sheehan, Erhahon, Simons; Gale, Dalby, Nelson - 4-3-3
Five changes for Bolton Wanderers in this game. Conway, Eoin Toal, Larrazabal, Ethan Erhahon and Jayden Nelson all come in as Brunt, Famewo, Ben Davies, John McAtee and Samuel Iling-Junior all drop out.
A change in formation as well, with two wingers pushing up to chase long balls, adding a deeper midfielder in to attempt to control the play when Bolton have the ball, as it is expected to be at a premium in this game.
Nelson comes in to add some much needed pace, whilst Erhahon is chosen over Ruben Rodrigues to add some more stability in midfield. Whilst it takes away some attacking intent, it could help Wanderers win some midfield battles.
Toal comes into the back line to add some leadership, whilst both Conway and Larrazabal are trusted in the full-back options, with Schumacher not looking to just sit back in this game, rather using the home crowd to aid his wide players.
Sam Dalby keeps his place being top scorer despite missing chances, as does Jack Bonham, who has earned at least one more chance between the sticks.
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Matt Bottomley A lifelong Bolton Wanderers fan, this club is the reason I began my journalism career. Since sitting in the stands as a kid over 20 years ago, I have gone on to work for the likes of the BBC and The Telegraph before everything led me back to here, to the football club I love.
