Nottingham Forest missed the chance on Friday to put a significant gap between themselves and West Ham. They suffered a 3-1 defeat at Leeds United, and it was a poor performance from Sean Dyche’s side.
Leeds were deserved winners, and the three points will boost their survival hopes.
However, it was a night to forget for Forest and after West Ham’s 2-0 win at **Burnley**over the weekend, the gap to the bottom three is now only three points. It may have been expected that **Nuno Espirito Santo's**side would win that game.
However, this adds more pressure to the game against Wolves because it is a match where the expectations will be that Forest get back to winning ways. Anything other than a win and the worries around relegation will increase significantly.
It will not be an easy match because, although Rob Edwards side are rooted to the bottom of the table, they have picked up some results to increase their points tally in the last month.
At the weekend, Wolves started their game well, but they conceded two first-half penalties, and after a Cole Palmer hat-trick, they lost 3-1 to Chelsea.
When these two sides met at **Molineux**back in December, it was also a close game with Forest recording a 1-0 win after a goal from Igor Jesus.
Is it must win?
It is often said in football that certain games are a ‘must-win’ and sometimes it is not true, but for Forest, there may be an element of truth in saying that this fixture is a must-win game.
West Ham play first, so by the time that Forest kick off on Wednesday, theHammers could be level on points with Dyche's men. However, West Ham do face Manchester United, who will be looking for a fifth straight win.
Regardless of other results, it could make for a tense atmosphere at the City Ground. If Forest can get an early goal, as they did in games against Brentford and Crystal Palace, then they may go on to win confidently. However, if it stays at 0-0 for a while, then the visitors may grow into the match and the home fans may start to get nervous.
Wolves know that the likelihood is that they will be playing their football in the Championship next season, but for Forest, there is a lot on the line.
If they cannot beat the side from the West Midlands, then their fans may start to worry.
After the wins against Brentford and West Ham, along with the draw with Arsenal, Forest went into this run against Crystal Palace, Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers hoping for results that could put themselves some distance away from the relegation zone. So far, from that run of games, they have just a single point.
They then have games against Liverpool and Manchester City to come so will be hoping to bank some points from this game.
After the disappointment of Friday, there will be the hope of a positive reaction.
A striker dilemma?
Igor Jesus has started almost every match since the injury to Chris Wood but he only has two goals in the Premier League.
Jesus runs around and puts in a shift each game but, after **Lorenzo Lucca's**debut goal against Leeds there could now be a shift in attack.
Lucca made an impact and offers a real height up front.
It would not be a surprise if he came into the eleven against Wolves to provide a focal point up front and a challenge that, in the modern game, defenders do not always face due to the way that possession football is the common style of play today.
If Omari Hutchinson also comes in on the wing then this would provide a player who can deliver crosses into the box.
Jesus could also serve as an exciting option to have to bring on from the bench and offer a different type of threat.
How does the league table look at the moment?
It currently looks like a bottom four may be building, and that for survival, it will be between Forest and West Ham.
Leeds are not yet out of it totally, but the result on Friday could be very important for them.
Sean Dyche may not be under immediate pressure, but if results do not improve, then there may be growing criticism from fans.
They certainly are currently closer to the drop zone than they would like, and, for the first time in a while, there will be a worry that they could end up sliding back into the bottom three. At this stage in the season, that would not be the place to be.
There are still plenty of games to play but confidence and momentum and be key. In recent weeks, it could be argued that it is West Ham playing with a newfound confidence and sense of belief.
There will be a hope that Murillo is back fit for this match as he is inevitably a big miss at the back. Neco Williams will also return after his suspension.
The pressure will be on and this may be a night where Dyche and the fans learn a lot about their side. They will see if they are capable of bouncing back from the Leeds loss and up for the relegation fight once again.
There have been occasions before when they have needed a result and have managed to get one.
There is no getting away from the missed opportunity at Elland Road but now they have a chance, just a few days later, to put things right.
Last time against Wolves, it was not the best performance but was a 1-0 win. This time around it is also likely a case that the performance is not of the most importance but instead the three points is what matters most.