Wolves are set to travel to West Ham on Friday for a high-stakes Premier League encounter, aiming to extend their stay in the top flight and push Nuno's side deeper into relegation trouble. Despite the daunting challenge, the spirit at Molineux remains defiant, with the team committed to fighting until the final whistle of the season.
Survival Odds and Statistical Edge
With only seven games remaining, Wolves' chances of avoiding relegation appear slim, requiring a significant upturn in form and favorable results elsewhere. However, they can still apply pressure on the clubs above them and prolong their Premier League status for a few more weeks. A key statistic has emerged that could favor Rob Edwards' side ahead of the trip to London.
West Ham's Struggles Against Bottom Teams
West Ham currently sit just one point from safety, occupying the final spot in the bottom three, trailing behind Tottenham. Their record against teams at the very bottom of the table is concerning, with only two wins against such sides since the start of the 2023/24 season. This includes a recent 3-0 loss to Wolves at the London Stadium earlier this year, where Mateus Mane celebrated a goal in a dominant performance.
Wolves have held the rock-bottom position throughout the season, following an opening-day defeat to Manchester City. In recent years, West Ham has also dropped points against other bottom-placed teams that were eventually relegated, such as Southampton and Sheffield United. Additionally, in November 2023, they suffered a defeat to Everton, who had a poor start to the campaign.
Injury Concerns for West Ham
Compounding West Ham's challenges, it has been reported that they could be missing up to nine first-team regulars for the upcoming match. Several players are dealing with minor injuries, including Axel Disasi, who picked up a slight issue during the FA Cup defeat against Leeds. This could further weaken their squad and provide an advantage for Wolves in this critical fixture.
As the Premier League season nears its climax, Wolves will look to capitalize on these factors to secure a vital victory and keep their survival hopes alive, while West Ham aims to break their poor run against bottom-placed opponents.
