Wolverhampton Wanderers Match Preview

There have been many occasions this season where West Ham United fans have left Stratford thinking that their team had wasted ideal opportunities to pick up points. Tonight, we are getting into no room for error territory for Nuno Espírito Santo’s side who must take advantage of playing first this weekend and need to pick up three points, if they are to retain their Premier League status. After missing the chance to spend the international break clear of the relegation zone, they have a chance to steer clear of the bottom three positions again here when rock bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers arrive for a floodlit encounter in Stratford.

The Hammers have lost the two previous meetings between the clubs this season and will be hoping to bounce back from Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final defeat to fellow Premier League outfit Leeds United here by earning their first top-flight victory since edging past Fulham on 4 March.

The Premier League’s bottom side were without a point until the Irons went to Molineux back on January 3 and were embarrassingly beaten 3-0. Since then however, the hosts have found momentum and have only lost on five occasions in all competitions. The ever-loyal fan base will be hoping that they can keep that impressive record intact.

Tonight’s visitors have had plenty of time to prepare for this game, owing to the fact that they haven’t been in action for over three weeks, meaning they will be the fresher of the teams, having said that though, the hosts will want to atone for their previous results and start to climb the table. After this fixture, the Irons aren’t in action again until they travel to Selhurst Park and face Crystal Palace on April 20.

It is fair to say that West Ham haven’t fared well in meetings between these two clubs lately. However, they did achieve victory in the corresponding fixture last season. Former Head-Coach Julen Lopetegui led the home side to a 2-1 success back in December 2024.

Konstantinos Mavropanos missed the defeat to Daniel Farke’s men five days ago and is likely to be restored to the starting line-up, as is Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who has now returned to East London following international duty.

Jean-Clair Todibo, Crysencio Summerville and Callum Wilson will all be assessed to see if they can play any part, while Mads Hermansen, Tomáš Souček and Pablo Felipe are all set to return. Soungoutou Magassa and Adama Traoré could retain their places. If they do, then Traoré will feature against his former club.

Max Kilman started the reverse fixture back in January but is set to be benched here, along with Freddie Potts. Defender Craig Dawson could make another return to Stratford.

It remains to be seen whether Hermansen will be joined in the matchday squad by Alphonse Areola, after he was injured towards the end of extra-time at the weekend. If the Frenchman is unavailable, then youngster Finlay Herrick is ready to deputise.

The match is an 8pm kick-off and live coverage is being screened by Sky Sports from 7:30pm. The referee is Jarred Gillett.