Currently sitting 18th in the Premier League on 29 points [after a 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa](https://westhamblog.co.uk/west-ham-survival-hopes-in-limbo-as-aston-villa-ease-past-hammers/), West Ham United are staring down the barrel of Championship football next season.
With only seven games remaining, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have virtually no margin for error. To ensure survival, there are certain fixtures where dropping points is simply not an option.
The return from the international break sees West Ham face bottom-of-the-table Wolverhampton Wanderers at the London Stadium.
Wolves have been the league’s whipping boys this season, managing only three wins, although the Old Gold have shown signs of life in recent weeks.
For West Ham, this is more than just a game—it represents a psychological reset. Victory could temporarily lift the Hammers out of the relegation zone, especially with Tottenham facing a revitalised Sunderland.
Late April brings a poetic but crucial clash against David Moyes’ Everton. While the Toffees are safely in eighth place and chasing European football, this match is vital for West Ham because of the difficulty of their subsequent schedule.
Dropping points here would force the Hammers to chase results against the likes of Arsenal and Newcastle United.
Leeds are currently 15th, just four points ahead of West Ham. Given that Daniel Farke’s side face four of the bottom six in their final stretch, they may arrive at the London Stadium still within reach.
West Ham’s goal difference (-21) is significantly worse than that of their relegation rivals, meaning the Hammers cannot afford to rely on draws in their quest to beat the drop.