West Ham v Wolves Preview, Prediction and Team News
- Elliot Bloom
- Apr 10
- 3 min read
West Ham host Wolves on Friday Night Football under the lights to kickstart the return of Premier League football, and it's a big one for the Hammers.
The two sides have already met twice this season, with Wolves winning both at Molineux in the league and Carabao Cup, but a lot has changed since then and West Ham badly need victory here.
West Ham Overview
After a heartbreaking defeat on penalties in the FA Cup quarter-finals last weekend, West Ham can now focus solely on their relegation battle. The Hammers sit in 18th heading into the weekend, one point behind Spurs in 17th. But with an 11-goal gap in goal difference between the two, it is effectively a two point gap.
West Ham ultimately find themselves in this position due to their torrid start to this season, but their form has improved especially since Nuno Espirito Santo came in. Their home form is what has been impressive. Despite their position in the league, West Ham are unbeaten at The London Stadium in 90 minutes since a 2-1 home defeat to Forest on January 6th.
That home form was evident in their comeback vs Leeds last weekend. It is clear that the West Ham fans still back their side, and despite the toxic relationship between the club and supporters since the move to the new stadium, those fans are a big reason why their home form has been so good. Nuno's side will be looking to use the positives of that comeback in this game v Wolves and beyond.
For any relegation-threatened side, home form is essential. If you get results at home, there's a good chance you'll stay up. West Ham will be looking to build off that good form and bounce back from that painful exit from the FA Cup on Friday night.
Wolves Overview
Wolves have had a similar story to West Ham this season. A dreadful start to the season left them in deep trouble, but a new manager came in and both results and performances eventually turned around. The only difference to their opponents on Friday is that Wolves' start to the season was simply too bad to be able to fully recover from and survive.
Perhaps this is a big reason why the performances have turned around as of late for the Old Gold. It's just the five defeats in all competitions in sixteen games since Wolves picked up their second point of the season at Old Trafford on December 30th. With relegation all-but-confirmed early on, the pressure has been off this Wolves side and Rob Edwards has been afforded freedom to implement his ideas.
He and his coaching staff will be looking to continue finishing the season strong so that they can hit the ground running in the Championship next season and continue that good form to lead to a bounce-back promotion back to the Premier League.
Team News
For West Ham, Crysencio Summerville, Callum Wilson and Jean-Claire Todibo all missed the match v Leeds due to injuries and are still listed as doubts going into the weekend. Aaron Wan-Bissaka also missed the Leeds match due to celebrations after DR Congo qualified for the World Cup, so he should be back in the lineup for this one on Friday.
As for Wolves, goalkeeper Sam Johnstone is out with a shoulder injury and Matt Doherty has a knock, but they are otherwise fit and firing for what should be a competitive match.
Match Prediction
Jarrod Bowen has scored more goals vs Wolves than he has against any other side, netting six times. He is obviously the talisman for this West Ham side and they will need his finishing and leadership heading into the run-in.
Getting Aaron Wan-Bissaka back is big for West Ham as he will be tasked with handling the electric teenager Mateus Mane when he drifts out to the left hand side.
Wolves are playing with no fear, and after already beating West Ham twice this season whilst scoring three goals in both games, they will be confident they can hurt this West Ham side. West Ham will likely dominate the ball and Wolves will look to soak up pressure in their 5-3-2 formation and hit West Ham on the counter with their pace and directness.
West Ham's home form has been key, however, and they simply have too much to play for. Wolves have gone a long time without playing due to the international break and cup games, so they have to find their feet a little bit.
I see goals and I see a desperate West Ham side fighting hard infront of their own fans.
