Wolverhampton Wanderers Match Preview

Three of West Ham United’s five Premier League games in January are against Nuno Espírito Santo’s former clubs. They kick off 2026 with a trip to Molineux to face Wolverhampton Wanderers this afternoon.

After ending 2025 with a 2-2 home draw against Brighton and Hove Albion just four days ago, the Hammers now need to start the New Year on a winning note, given that the home side are yet to record a top-flight victory this season and have only amassed a solitary three points from the first nineteen games.

This will be the second meeting of the campaign between the two sides in the Black Country and the Irons will be keen to get revenge on today’s opponents, as the side who were then under the stewardship of Vitor Pereira knocked Graham Potter’s team out of the Carabao Cup back on 26 August.

Just over a month after losing that match here, Potter was replaced as Head-Coach by Espírito Santo but the Portuguese has not yet managed to take maximum points from a road trip. With his side having been in the relegation zone since early December, it is vital that he achieves that feat here.

Having said all of that though, the visitors have had a decent record at Molineux in the past although they have not come away with three points since April 2024.

After failing to get a win in any of the first ten matches, Wolves eventually dispensed with the services of Pereira and replaced him with former Forest Green Rovers, Watford, Luton Town and Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards. However, replacing the Head-Coach hasn’t brought about the desired change in fortunes. Having picked up a surprise point in a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford last time out, West Ham will be determined not to give the hosts the chance to build on that result.

Both teams were in action on Tuesday, meaning neither has an advantage in terms of preparation time ahead of this fixture.

With another game in just three days time, Espírito Santo may look to make more changes, rather than just the one he made to the team that faced the Seagulls.

Konstantinos Mavropanos and Tomáš Souček are in contention, while it remains to be seen whether defender Jean-Clair Todibo is deemed fit enough to play after picking up an injury before the break against Fabian Hürzeler’s men. If not, then Igor Julio will make a rare start. Crysencio Summerville is also an option to come back into the starting line-up.

Having made his first start since the 1-1 draw against Manchester United back on 4 December on Tuesday night, Callum Wilson will be hoping to retain his place. On the other hand, one player that will not feature is striker Niclas Füllkrug. After recent speculation over the German’s future in East London, it was finally confirmed on Friday that he has completed a loan move to Italy and will join Serie A outfit AC Milan for the remainder of the season with the deal including an option to buy.

Espírito Santo made his first signing since taking over as Head-Coach on Friday. It was confirmed that Brazilian striker Pablo Felipe had arrived from Portuguese club Gil Vicente on an initial four-and-a-half-year deal with the option for a further year. He did sign in time to be involved at Molineux today so it will be interesting to see whether he is selected in the matchday squad.

The match is a 3pm kick-off and the referee is Peter Bankes.