Credit: Tung Manh Phan

Cameron Smith

Wed 8 April 2026 12:30, UK

Adama Traore may be given a big opportunity to start against his former club, as West Ham United take on Wolves on Friday evening.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are looking to get back to winning ways in the Premier League after suffering defeats on either side of the international break.

After losing 2-0 to Aston Villa on the eve of the pause, the Hammers’ return to action proved heartbreaking, as Leeds secured a 4-2 penalty shootout win in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.

Now, Premier League survival is the only goal for the Irons, who are within touching distance of climbing out of the bottom three.

Heading into the season’s crunch point, they welcome bottom-dwelling Wolves to the London Stadium.

Nuno to make big Adama Traore decision ahead of Wolves test

After overseeing a big shift since the turn of the year, it has been a disappointing period for Nuno when it comes to results, with West Ham struggling slightly during Crysencio Summerville’s absence.

Though on Sunday, January signing Traore finally began to show his worth in claret, after struggling since his arrival.

On his day, there are not many widemen capable of altering the state of a match as quickly as Traore.

Playing for Wolves between 2018 and 2023, the 30-year-old was adored at Molineux, with current Hammers boss Nuno getting the best out of him during the 2019-20 campaign, when Wolves reached the Europa League quarter-finals.

With Friday’s clash possibly still too soon for Summerville to start, with his return expected, Traore may just be the best option out wide, with his electric pace coming in handy in what will likely be a resolute Wolves defence.

Elsewhere, Mads Hermansen is likely to drop back between the sticks after giving way for Alphonse Areola in the cup, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Kostas Mavropanos and Tomas Soucek could be recalled.

For visitors Wolves, it will likely be more of the same after an unbeaten run leading into the international break under Rob Edwards.

West Ham must take Wolves opportunity in survival quest

When it comes to their survival battle, West Ham have been handed a big opportunity this weekend.

Playing on Friday, Nuno’s side have the chance to open the matchday with a win, against the team locked at the bottom of the standings.

Not only will this be a big confidence boost, but it puts their relegation rivals under pressure, with Nottingham Forest, Tottenham and Leeds all in action on Sunday and Monday.

Three points would actually take the Irons to 17th ahead of those games too.

Just days after a Europa League quarter-final first leg against Porto, Forest are in action against Aston Villa, while Leeds travel to Old Trafford to face rivals Manchester United.

Tottenham will be the favourites against Sunderland given the recent appointment of Roberto De Zerbi, but the chance is still there for the Hammers to make a big dent in the respective campaigns of their rivals.

Welcoming Wolves to the London Stadium, West Ham simply must take the opportunity handed to them.