Wolves vs West Ham | PL | 3.1.26 | Predictions and Match Thread

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Match Centre: 

Live data by Scoreaxis

Odds: 
WHU: 11/5
Draw: 15/8
Wolves: 8/5

 Pre-Match Press Conference: 
Wolves-discussion post-Brighton

 Match Preview: 
Analytics United 

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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:

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

[southbankbornnbred]

I can’t see us winning another game under this bus driving tramp.

The players have all given up.

 

Like some of us, they don't believe in him. Felt that a while back that the players don't buy in to his gutless defensive Football and deicision making. They get it just as much as I do.

 

 

I agree with this assessment of Nuno’s football. But I would add that these players are utterly shit, too. I genuinely doubt that many managers would get a tune out of them.

The club is suffering from the abysmal decision-making and oversight of one person: David Sullivan. You might add his Ozempic crony, but she would leave with him anyway.

I’ll reiterate. The club is in a football death loop: bad owner appoints bad managers who buy bad players who play badly. Sullivan has tried to assume more and more control of the club - especially since his business partner died. Incredibly, the decrepit old cսnt now rates himself as a quasi-manager, director of football and owner. He’s taken control of managerial appointments, transfers etc.

Long-term, there’s really only one way out of that.

[threesixty]

 

We haven't won in 9 games, and we haven't actually tried to win in any of those games, you've had your head in the fucking clouds because you like the fact Nuno is our manager.

I know why.

 

Again, fuck off. You're just miserable. It's easy to be negative all the fucking time. I know where not a great team, thats why we have 14 points. It's not rocket science. I'm always looking for positive signs. Are play has never been as bad as this. Regardless of whether we went for wins or not. Getting out of this shit doesnt mean beating Liverpool or City, it means beating Wolves, Forest, Burnley etc. I thought we were capable of that. Today we really shit the bed. I dont think Nuno is some super saviour but we were playing better. You can see whatever you want,

In your head he would have won all our games if Wilson was on. Well, Wilson played 90 and we got fuck all, So it's not that simple is it?ffs

 

Again, utter nonsense from you.

"at this stage I'm not bothered about winning points"

Remember that?

LOL

 

 

yes I remember. But why not quote the rest of what I said?


 

[Sir Alf]

Edwards has organised them. He simply his team to let us have the ball and exploit gaps once we turned it over. They had a bit of pace on the counter and we cannot deal with it although basic positioning, tracking and pressing would have stopped one or two goals. That said, Areola made 3 good saves and one exceptional one.  Bowen and Wilson looked dreadful as did most of the midfield and CBs at times. Wolves sat deep and compact and we would not have got thru them or scored even if the game had gone on thru to the morning.

What alas I am seeing is another one dimensional manager and with the weak squad we have it means only one thing.  

15 years of Sullivam and back where we started but now without a stadium, training ground and our history erased. 

[COOL HAND LUKE]

Today was worse than ever before... I know this sounds biased, but I'm ready to bet that poisonous little fkr in the boardroom is behind this downing of tools in some way. 

Nuno barely got off his seat - whatever we say, that's not like him. Obviously very unhappy about something, as are the players. If we assume Nuno and the players get along fairly well, it doesn't leave much, does it? 

And WTF has happened to Noble? Thought he was supposed to be the unofficial 'manager's sidekick'..?  

[Eerie Decent]

The only thing to hang on to is Forest and Burnley have lost as well. So it's just between us and Forest now.
I feel like I have to forget today even happened.






 

 

We haven't won in 9 games, and we haven't actually tried to win in any of those games, you've had your head in the fucking clouds because you like the fact Nuno is our manager.

I know why.

 

Again, fuck off. You're just miserable. It's easy to be negative all the fucking time. I know where not a great team, thats why we have 14 points. It's not rocket science. I'm always looking for positive signs. Are play has never been as bad as this. Regardless of whether we went for wins or not. Getting out of this shit doesnt mean beating Liverpool or City, it means beating Wolves, Forest, Burnley etc. I thought we were capable of that. Today we really shit the bed. I dont think Nuno is some super saviour but we were playing better. You can see whatever you want,

In your head he would have won all our games if Wilson was on. Well, Wilson played 90 and we got fuck all, So it's not that simple is it?ffs

 

 

Again, utter nonsense from you.

"at this stage I'm not bothered about winning points"

Remember that?

LOL

[zico]

Inept in all departments is being kind.  Highlight of the second half was Soucek showing how slow he really is when taking 5 seconds to hit the ground after being fouled.  I thought I was watching a slow motion replay!  Time for Nuno to go.  If a manager doesn't even try and win a football match there is no point in him being here.  An early second half goal may have wobbled Wolves a little, but his subs were all about not conceding anymore.  It's beyond farcical how badly this football club is being run.  Without knowing the in's and out's other clubs fans must be laughing their heads off seeing what is happening since Moyes left because all they see is a trophy winning manager leaving because the fans wanted better football.  They don't see the results or how many goals the team were conceding under him, but for the club to make it worse, not just once but three times is quite incredible.  They may be West Ham boys but the likes of Robson and Pottsy should go too.  Maybe not from the club but back to the youth set up because I've never been a fan of having a manager who doesn't have his own staff. It doesn't really work as this has shown.  Who to get in I have no idea but a young hungry manager who has time to plan for the Championship and likes to have a go would be a start. And something needs to happen to get Sullivan and Brady out.  Not sure what but it's all too nice at the stadium at the moment.

[Massive Attack]

I don't see the point in changing the manager. 

 

 

[threesixty]

the game was over in the 1st half. I suppose the question is will this type of performance happen again? I just never saw signs of us being as bad as this. This is a serious stick or twist moment. I dont think it's feasible to change the manager right now because I dont see a squad capable of a "new manager" bounce. I dont think it's about team selection etc, some just basic terrible playing out there in the 1st half.
Tough decisions to make right now tbh. 




 

 

You cannot go into games at home against Fulham & Brighton and not try to win them. You were told this, but you wouldn't listen.

No one else is surprised by this performance,  we've been trying to draw every game 0-0, when you do that, and you come up against a team where the ones is on you, you get this type of outcome.

You are clueless when it comes to football.

 

 

you have no idea what you are talking about. Sit down man,

[Massive Attack]

I can’t see us winning another game under this bus driving tramp.

The players have all given up.

 

 

Like some of us, they don't believe in him. Felt that a while back that the players don't buy in to his gutless defensive Football and deicision making. They get it just as much as I do.

[threesixty]

The only thing to hang on to is Forest and Burnley have lost as well. So it's just between us and Forest now.
I feel like I have to forget today even happened.




 

 

We haven't won in 9 games, and we haven't actually tried to win in any of those games, you've had your head in the fucking clouds because you like the fact Nuno is our manager.

I know why.

 

 

Again, fuck off. You're just miserable. It's easy to be negative all the fucking time. I know where not a great team, thats why we have 14 points. It's not rocket science. I'm always looking for positive signs. Are play has never been as bad as this. Regardless of whether we went for wins or not. Getting out of this shit doesnt mean beating Liverpool or City, it means beating Wolves, Forest, Burnley etc. I thought we were capable of that. Today we really shit the bed. I dont think Nuno is some super saviour but we were playing better. You can see whatever you want,

In your head he would have won all our games if Wilson was on. Well, Wilson played 90 and we got fuck all, So it's not that simple is it?ffs

[Dick Shaftsbury]

I don't see the point in changing the manager. 90% of the time, he plays our best 11 in their best positions. The squad is the real problem, no one could get a tune out of this shower of piss. 

[Eerie Decent]

the game was over in the 1st half. I suppose the question is will this type of performance happen again? I just never saw signs of us being as bad as this. This is a serious stick or twist moment. I dont think it's feasible to change the manager right now because I dont see a squad capable of a "new manager" bounce. I dont think it's about team selection etc, some just basic terrible playing out there in the 1st half.
Tough decisions to make right now tbh. 


 

 

 

You cannot go into games at home against Fulham & Brighton and not try to win them. You were told this, but you wouldn't listen.

No one else is surprised by this performance,  we've been trying to draw every game 0-0, when you do that, and you come up against a team where the ones is on you, you get this type of outcome.

You are clueless when it comes to football.

[Massive Attack]

5 shots and not a single fucking effort on target. The Nuno Effect.  

Respect the 3-0 defeat secured.  

[Keep dreaming]

I can’t see us winning another game under this bus driving tramp.

The players have all given up.

Jaan, that was an unnecessary dig at bus drivers. I've seen much more of them lately than this stain of old bagpuss.

[Takashi Miike]

the game was over in the 1st half. I suppose the question is will this type of performance happen again? I just never saw signs of us being as bad as this. This is a serious stick or twist moment. I dont think it's feasible to change the manager right now because I dont see a squad capable of a "new manager" bounce. I dont think it's about team selection etc, some just basic terrible playing out there in the 1st half.
Tough decisions to make right now tbh. 


 

 

 

it's happened most weeks, we've been utter dogshit since he took over. makes potter look like rinus michels

[Jaan Kenbrovin]

I can’t see us winning another game under this bus driving tramp.

The players have all given up.

[claret on my shirt]

Nuno needs to go, his results have been terrible and the teams he  picks have been odd to say the least, his subs even worse. Plus at his best he plays defensive football which is why Moyes went! Nothing with change until Sully and Brady go. 

[Sir Alf]

The reality is that although Scarles, Mayers and Potts and Magassa ( aside from today the last 2,) have been doing well they are not gonna get in many PL first 11s yet as starters. 

The players being brought in might be enough to see a marginal upturn in form but no way we escape relegation. We need CBs and another centre mid with pace / legs. Potts and Magassa have helped but we still aint plugged that huge Declan Rice hole in midfield. Potts and Magassa not quick enough across the ground.

No positives aside from Scarles and Mayers. Manager seems unable to arrest a decline after an initial improvement in performances and results. That inprovement is lost since the slide since has been significant.

Is it even worth buying any more players for this season? I hope whoever we bring in doesnt gave a relegation clause ? But I suspect thats just wishful thinking

[threesixty]

the game was over in the 1st half. I suppose the question is will this type of performance happen again? I just never saw signs of us being as bad as this. This is a serious stick or twist moment. I dont think it's feasible to change the manager right now because I dont see a squad capable of a "new manager" bounce. I dont think it's about team selection etc, some just basic terrible playing out there in the 1st half.
Tough decisions to make right now tbh. 
 

[Elpojohn]

They should all hang their Heads in Shame.  Nuno the Nothing should be sacked with immediate effect, The Guy is a Fraud. 

[COOL HAND LUKE]

Perhaps we could just lock them all in and burn it down anyway...  

Fuck em... 

[Mr Logic]

Not a supporter then?

[Helmut Shown]

The second worse team invthe league Olé-ing us. How low can we fall

[fraser]

I'll tell you what is fucking hysterical... the first time Nuno has had a ready made substitute for Wilson is the first time Wilson's played 90 minutes

Go figure 

 

 

He's trolling us right and the game was over. 

[Mad Dog]

You mean 98-99%