Match Centre:
Odds:
WHU: 11/5
Draw: 15/8
Wolves: 8/5
Pre-Match Press Conference:
Wolves-discussion post-Brighton
Match Preview:
Analytics United
Watch-along:
Hammers Chat
Streams:
Sport+
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Well it's the first game of 2026, and arguably the most vital of the season to date. For too long the striker who hasn't scored for 50 games, the team who can't keep a clean sheet, or the goalie who's never saved a penalty have looked at a fixture against West Ham as the perfect time to exorcise the demons, and there is no doubt Wolves will be thinking the same today.
Winless across the whole of the season so far Wolves will be eyeing this as there chance to get back in amongst the wins. West Ham simply can't allow that to happen.
Not so much a 6 pointer, but more the freebie every other side has cashed in all already, losing here would hand the rest of the league 3 points over the Hammers.
Injury wise, there are some doubts. Todibo injured hsi groin vs Brighton and is likely out, with Mavripanos to deputise. Paqueta went off having done something to his back, and must be considered a notable doubt for this one, and KWP was also subbed off having picked up a knock vs Brighton.
This leaves the squad increasingly threadbare and could pose some unwelcome returns to the first XI for such a crucial game (Soucek..I'm looking at you!).
In better news, our first new signing of the year (Pablo Felipe) has travelled with the squad and we believe will be available for selection (though International Clearance remains unconfirmed). Whilst the skids look to have hit the Traore deal, Castellanos looks likely to be available for Tuesday night....but of couorse none of this helps in this vital game.
We also desperately need Areola to re-up his game. After a few good performances, the aerial demons returned against Brighton, and his distribution was as woeful as ever....for a guy that can over-arm the ball to the halfway line, why not do that instead of the aimless punts up field he seems to lack any directional control over?!
Anyway...
Predicted Line Up:
Areola
KWP Mavropanos Kilman Scarles
Potts Magassa
Bowen Fernandes Summerville
Wilson
Subs:KWP Mavropanos Kilman Scarles
Potts Magassa
Bowen Fernandes Summerville
Wilson
Hermansen, Myers, Golambeckis, Soucek, Rodriguez, Kante, Earthy, Paqueta, Pablo
I'd expect Paqueta to not be risked, but maybe be on the bench for emergencies in this one and Pablo to be looked at to come on for Wilson, despite speaking no English and having met most of the squad on the coach ride North.
KWP seems likely to recover (thank heavens) but Todibo seems very unlikely. Will be interesting to see if Wilson starts the game, or he brings in Soucek. Whether Earthy or Irving makes the bench will also be interesting to see.
Predicted Score:
I unfortunately can see any of the results possible in this game. We're under strength, talk is their performances have been better than their outcomes suggest, and we have such a soft underbelly. But defeat here is unthinkable, and we simply have to find a way. I'm going for the dream debut for Pablo getting the late winner and becoming an instant hero.
Wolves 2 : West Ham 3 (Wilson, Bowen, Pablo)
COYI
. Lets hope Scarles keeps his concentration too. Did very well last game after his dreadful error that lost us the game against Fulham so hopefully builds from that. I guess the new striker allows us to have a recognised central striker on all game. In theory Bowen has the most to benefit from that. I just dont know what to expect anymore. Until we can keep a clean sheet its hard to gave much confidence. 
