The Premier League finally returns on Friday evening as West Ham host Wolves in the capital. The Hammers sit inside the relegation zone in 18th, one point behind Spurs in 17th. Meanwhile, Wolves remain rooted to the bottom of the table on just 17 points. Kick off is at 8:00pm and below you can find our match preview and best bets below.
Best Bets & Predictions
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why I’m Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over 3.5 Match Cards | 5/6 @ Betfair (54.5%) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | West Ham (1.81 cards/game) and Wolves (2.13) combine for 3.94 per match. That’s above the 3.5 line. The 5/6 price implies 54.5%, but the stats put it nearer 65%. In a relegation scrap, nerves and late tackles push this up. |
| Jarrod Bowen Anytime Assist | 11/4 @ Bet365 (26.7%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Bowen has 6 assists in 31 matches — that’s an assist every 5.2 games (19.3%). Wolves have conceded 54 goals and are vulnerable from wide areas. 11/4 (26.7%) is a touch big for West Ham’s best creator against this defence. |
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Odds correct at the time of writing.
How both teams head into West Ham vs Wolves
West Ham United saw their FA Cup dream end in brutal fashion, drawing 2-2 after extra time before losing on penalties to Leeds United. That came after a 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa, leaving them 18th and just one point behind Tottenham. Friday is a big chance to climb out of the bottom three.
Set pieces remain a major issue with 17 goals conceded, the most in the league this season. Still, there are signs of life at home with just one defeat in their last six league games there. They have also won their last five home league matches against Wolves, a run they will look to extend.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have turned things around after an 11-game losing run earlier in the season, losing just four of their last 13 league matches. Only Arsenal, Manchester City and Brighton and Hove Albion have conceded fewer in that time. Recent form has been solid too, with wins over Aston Villa and Liverpool, plus a draw at Brentford.
But they are still bottom and 13 points from safety with just seven games left, so time is running out. They have found goals again, scoring twice in each of their last three matches, and will aim to complete a league double over West Ham United for the first time since 2019-20.
West Ham team news
Konstantinos Mavropanos and Callum Wilson are both doubts and will be checked before kickoff, while Łukasz Fabiański remains out. Aaron Wan-Bissaka is back in training after missing the cup loss and should be available.
Wolves team news
Wolves are still without Enso González, while Sam Johnstone is a doubt. Aside from that, the squad is fit, although João Gomes, André and Yerson Mosquera are all one booking away from suspension but still set to start.
Season Form & Standings
| Team | Pos | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Ham | 18th | 31 | 7 | 8 | 16 | 36 | 57 | -21 | 29 |
| Wolves | 20th | 31 | 3 | 8 | 20 | 24 | 54 | -30 | 17 |
Head-to-Head
Recent Meetings
Wolves have had the better of this fixture lately, winning the last three — including a 3-0 hammering in January. No draws in the last 16 meetings, and goals are usually on the menu.
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 03/01/26 | Wolves 3-0 West Ham | Premier League |
| 26/08/25 | Wolves 3-2 West Ham | League Cup |
| 01/04/25 | Wolves 1-0 West Ham | Premier League |
| 09/12/24 | West Ham 2-1 Wolves | Premier League |
| 06/04/24 | Wolves 1-2 West Ham | Premier League |
| 17/12/23 | West Ham 3-0 Wolves | Premier League |
Can West Ham’s Attack Make the Difference? Final Thoughts
This is a match where nerves will be shredded and quality is in short supply. West Ham have the better attack and home advantage, but their defence is as leaky as Wolves’. I can’t trust either side to win at the prices, but the cards market is the angle that stands out — two desperate teams, nearly 4 cards per game combined, and a referee likely to be busy. I’m backing Over 3.5 Match Cards at 5/6 with Betfair as my main play. If you want a player prop, Bowen for an assist at 11/4 with Bet365 is worth a small interest.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
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