Nuno Espirito Santo’s side will be hoping to get off to a positive start as they get their season back underway, and ahead of tomorrow’s 5.30pm kick-off, here are five things to know.
1. 105 DAYS AWAY
It’s pretty difficult to sum up everything that has happened since Wolves last stepped off the pitch after a Premier League match. 105 days will have passed between Saturday’s kick-off and a rather forgettable 0-0 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion at Molineux on 7th March, but just six days after that game came one of the biggest moments of football for decades as football was suspended for the first time since the start of the Second World War. It’s been an unparalleled three months for everyone across the world, as people come to terms with the new normal way of living.
Although no football has taken place on the pitch, Wolves and the club’s staff have continued to work behind the scenes, to support the work of the Wolverhampton community in the fight against coronavirus. For the players, some decided to spend lockdown back in their home countries, while others remained in the West Midlands, before they all reconvened once again at Compton Park for the first day of training on 11th May in preparation for this weekend and the Premier League restart.
2. PICKING UP WHERE THEY LEFT OFF
Ahead of the Premier League suspension, the form of Wolves and West Ham could not have been much different. Wolves are currently unbeaten in their last five Premier League games, winning twice, and keeping a clean sheet in four of those matches, while the Hammers have won just one and drew two of their last nine Premier League games. However, Wolves should be aware that West Ham’s last home game was a 3-1 win against Southampton, but they’ve not won back-to-back league games at the London Stadium since September.
Wolves are also the kings of the comeback in the top-flight this season, picking up more points from a losing position than anyone else (21 points), while West Ham are the league’s opposite – losing 22 points from winning positions. Saturday’s hosts have also not won any game against a side which has started the day in the top half of the table since November, a run which began the reverse fixture between the two sides at Molineux, where Wolves ran out 2-0 winners.
