Wolverhampton Wanderers Match Preview

West Ham United’s good run of form in April started by beating Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-0 in Stratford. After that result, the Hammers looked as if they might pull off a great escape to book another season in the top-flight.

However, the upturn in form didn’t continue into May, meaning Nuno Espírito Santo’s men were unfortunate to drop into the second tier with Wolves. The Portuguese faces a reunion with his former club at the same venue tonight in the Sky Bet Championship.

After coming from behind to pick up a late point against Blackburn Rovers back on 14 August, the visitors have gone from strength to strength, so it looks as if the Hammers might face their toughest test to date.

Back on 11 June, the hierarchy at Molineux took the brave and quite frankly bold decision to dispose with the services of former Luton Town and Middlesbrough Head-Coach Rob Edwards and replace him with Portuguese César Peixoto and so far, it seems to have paid off.

Home advantage suited both clubs last campaign but, Espírito Santo will be hoping that his team come out on top again here and they can start September by finally giving the ever-loyal fan base something to cheer about.

Neither team goes into this game with an advantage in terms of preparation, as both played just three days ago with the Irons taking a point back home with them from Vicarage Road, following a 1-1 draw with Watford, whereas Peixoto’s men collected all three points from a home game with Stoke City.

Konstantinos Mavropanos and Joël Piroe will hope to return to the starting line-up after the Dutchman was dropped to the bench, while the Greek defender missed out completely through injury so it will be interesting to see whether he is restored to the starting line-up.

The Irons’ Head-Coach has Pablo Felipe available again after he was substituted at half-time during the 2-2 draw with fellow relegated club Burnley at Turf Moor in the opening match of the season due to a calf injury.

A deal for Norwegian winger Edvin Austbø was completed on Monday and he could be in line to introduce himself to the Stratford faithful early and make his debut.

The match is a 7:45pm kick-off and live coverage is being screened by Sky Sports from 7:35pm. The referee is Lewis Smith.