Wolverhampton Wanderers have finally broken their Premier League duck this season, securing a vital 3-0 victory over West Ham United at Molineux. The win, courtesy of goals from Jhon Arias, Hwang Hee-chan, and Mateus Mane, provided a crucial boost for new head coach Rob Edwards. Despite the three points, Wolves remain rooted to the bottom of the table with just six points, highlighting the scale of their ongoing battle for survival.
A Glimmer of Hope at Molineux
The comprehensive victory against the Hammers marked a significant turning point in what has been a dismal campaign. Rob Edwards, appointed earlier this winter following the sacking of Vitor Pereira, oversaw his first win since leaving his role at Middlesbrough in the Championship. The immediate challenge is to build momentum, with a midweek trip to face Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Wednesday, 7th January.
With the January transfer window now open, Edwards is expected to seek reinforcements to bolster his squad for the gruelling months ahead. The win offers a foundation of confidence, but the fixture list presents a formidable obstacle in the club's quest to climb out of the relegation zone.
Comparing the Relegation Rivals' Run-Ins
The fight to avoid the drop is intensely close, and the difficulty of upcoming schedules could be decisive. Here is how Wolves' next five Premier League matches compare to those of their direct rivals, Burnley, West Ham, and Nottingham Forest.
Wolves' Fixtures:
- Everton (A) - Wed 7 Jan, 19:30 KO
- Newcastle United (H) - Sun 18 Jan, 14:00 KO
- Manchester City (A) - Sat 24 Jan, 15:00 KO
- AFC Bournemouth (H) - Sat 31 Jan, 15:00 KO
- Chelsea (H) - Sat 7 Feb, 15:00 KO
Nottingham Forest's Fixtures:
- West Ham (A) - Tue 6 Jan, 20:00 KO
- Arsenal (H) - Sat 17 Jan, 17:30 KO
- Brentford (A) - Sun 25 Jan, 14:00 KO
- Crystal Palace (H) - Sun 1 Feb, 14:00 KO
- Leeds United (A) - Fri 6 Feb, 20:00 KO
West Ham's Fixtures:
- Nottingham Forest (H) - Tue 6 Jan, 20:00 KO
- Tottenham Hotspur (A) - Sat 17 Jan, 15:00 KO
- Sunderland (H) - Sat 24 Jan, 12:30 KO
- Chelsea (A) - Sat 31 Jan, 17:30 KO
- Burnley (A) - Sat 7 Feb, 15:00 KO
Burnley's Fixtures:
- Manchester United (H) - Wed 7 Jan, 20:15 KO
- Liverpool (A) - Sat 17 Jan, 15:00 KO
- Tottenham Hotspur (H) - Sat 24 Jan, 15:00 KO
- Sunderland (A) - Mon 2 Feb, 20:00 KO
- West Ham (H) - Sat 7 Feb, 15:00 KO
Analysis and Predictions for Wolves' Crucial Stretch
The immediate focus for the league's strugglers is a huge clash between Nottingham Forest and West Ham on Tuesday, a true six-pointer at the bottom. Forest then face a daunting task against league leaders Arsenal, alongside tricky away days at Brentford and Leeds United.
West Ham's schedule also looks challenging, with difficult away fixtures at Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea. Meanwhile, Burnley's next three games appear incredibly tough, facing Manchester United, Liverpool, and Spurs in quick succession. Their home game against West Ham in early February looms as a potential pivotal moment.
For Wolves, the spirit will be higher after their win, but the run-in is severe. After the Everton trip, they face a gauntlet of Newcastle, the reigning champions Manchester City, an in-form Bournemouth, and Chelsea. Securing points from these matches will require a monumental effort.
Based on current form and opposition, a realistic prediction for Wolves' next five games might be: a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Everton, followed by a 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle. A trip to the Etihad could result in a 3-0 loss, with a 1-1 draw possible against Bournemouth at Molineux, before concluding with a 2-1 loss to Chelsea. This points return would keep them in deep trouble, emphasising the critical need to capitalise on any winnable games, starting at Goodison Park.
