Wolverhampton Wanderers v West Ham United
Massive game for Nuno and West Ham United
Let’s not dress this up – this is a must-win game. No exaggeration, no hyperbole. If West Ham United beat Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest lose to Aston Villa, then suddenly next week’s Forest fixture becomes huge – a genuine chance of clawing our way out of the bottom three.
That’s the carrot. The stick? Wolves still haven’t won a Premier League game all season, and the superstitious part of me is screaming that this has “typical West Ham” written all over it.
Recent Form and Context
The Hammers head to Molineux off the back of a spirited 2–2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion, ending a miserable run of three straight defeats. Goals from Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paquetá at least showed some fight and attacking intent.
Training has been intense at Rush Green since, with Nuno Espírito Santo fully aware that the gap to safety – four points – still looms large. Nuno said ahead of the game “They are tough, every game in the Premier League is tough so we expect at Molineux a very tough game. Both teams in need like us and Wolves and when we have the need we have to do whatever we can to achieve it.” Sounds like fighting talk to me.
Wolves, meanwhile, remain bottom, 15 points from safety, but will take confidence from a gritty draw at Manchester United. Desperate teams are dangerous teams.
Team News
West Ham United
AFCON continues to bite. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and El Hadji Malick Diouf remain unavailable, while Jean-Clair Todibo is a doubt after undergoing a scan.
New signing Pablo Felipe has not yet been ratified but will start on the bench if his registration went through on time.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
André returns from suspension. Santiago Bueno will be assessed, while Dan Bentley, Marshall Munetsi, Emmanuel Agbadou, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Toti Gomes and Rodrigo Gomes are all likely to miss out.
Predicted West Ham XI
Important note: this is what I think Nuno will pick – not necessarily what I’d choose.
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| GK | Areola |
| RB | Walker-Peters |
| CB | Kilman |
| CB | Mavropanos |
| LB | Scarles |
| CM | Fernandes |
| CM | Magassa |
| CM | Potts |
| LM | Paquetá |
| RW | Bowen |
| CF | Wilson |
Prediction: Head Says Win, Heart Says Panic
On paper, this shouldn’t be difficult – but that’s exactly what worries me. Wolves are winless, desperate, and at home. We’ve all seen this movie before.
That said, we showed real quality in spells against Brighton. If Bowen carries that form into Saturday, we should have too much firepower. My only lingering fear? Max Kilman and his occasional calamity defending still makes me nervous every time the ball goes near our box.
I’ll go with narrow optimism over familiar dread.
Prediction: Wolves 1–2 West Ham
Now please, for once, let this be straightforward. ⚒️
Looking at that back 4,it’s harsh on Scarles having to play with those 3,KWP is no world beater but looked gone against Brighton,constantly being beaten. The 2 center backs are an error awaiting. Think Magassa should play there especially against Wolves where we shouldn’t need 3 defensive midfielders. This would allow another attacker and a better balance with either Earthy or Summerville on the left. Wilson has to start.
Make no mistake that as of this moment we are blowing out. One point at home to Fulham and Brighton is blowing out.
Wolves drew 1-1 at Man U on Tuesday it’s not going to be a pushover.
We need this Pablo guy to come on for Wilson and to put in a good shift.
I thought we’d pick up more than one point in the last two games is the bottom line.
Didn’t they beat us 3-2 in the League Cup earlier this season? Just saying…..
Well, you would think that this is the ONE game that West Ham should win. Wolves, bottom of the league with no wins; which is precisely why we probably won’t win. As I have said before: if you can’t win, if you can’t score, if you have a long run of defeats, if you have a striker who can’t score etc., there is one solution – play West Ham ! Over 67 years of supporting West Ham this has constantly been the case . End of story. I , personally, think that we may win this game; but it is very far from a forgone conclusion, & I won’t be holding my breath. I really think that we are doomed to relegation (because we do not have a defence), but if we don’t win this one, surely relegation will follow.
Gonzo things at West Ham never straight forward mate. I hope for 2 nil win but more realistic is a 1-1 draw
Happy 22nd, Pablo Felipe! May 2026 bring you and WHU much success.
Gonzo, You know nothing is ever straightforward with westham, but i know what you mean mate, wouldnt it be nice just for a change to sit and watch a nice easy 2 or 3 nil win, would set up forest game a treat.
Which West Ham will turn up – West Ham United or West Ham the Giving Charity?