McCarthy- encourged by recent displays.

By David John

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FIXED ODDS
	1pt Wolves to beat West Ham at 4/1 (bet365, Paddy Power).	Recent efforts suggest they are overpriced to edge the three points.

West Ham v Wolves

You have to go back to 1978 for the last time that Wolves beat West Ham at Upton Park but we have a sneaking suspicion that drought could end on Tuesday night at 4/1.

Just one point separates the pair as the relegation battle continues and with a gap opening up to Wigan in 15th place, the loser here is going to have some ground to make up in a bid to get towards safety.

Mick McCarthy's hailed his battlers on Saturday after a 2-2 draw at Aston Villa, a performance he labelled "terrific".

That followed a crucial three points at fellow strugglers Burnley and although it is very much about points at this stage of proceedings, Wolves have put up a run of admirable displays over the last five or six weeks that have perhaps deserved better - a tad more compsure in front of goal from Sam Vokes would certainly have eked out a point against Manchester United.

They were within eight minutes of taking maximum points against Villa on Saturday and although letting the advantage slip, they will have taken much encouragement and belief that they can get out clear of danger.

West Ham on the other hand seem to have hit reverse very quickly.

Wins over Birmingham and Hull in mid-February seemed to herald an upsurge in their fortunes but four straight defeats since has left them once more on the brink.

Three of those games were at Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal - matches they would not be expected to get much out of to be fair - but losing is a nasty habit to shake off and the pressure will be immense to arrest the slide.

Despite a promising first half and Carlton Cole hitting the post, they never looked like troubling 10-man Arsenal on Saturday and although boss Gianfranco Zola retains confidence in his players, they look poor value at odds-on for a home win.

Wolves are no mortgage job but look capable of getting three points if producing the same application of late - a small investment is the suggestion.

Verdict: West Ham 0 Wolves 1