West Ham United host Wrexham at London Stadium on Friday evening (8pm kick-off UK time), as two sides with high ambitions for the Championship season collide.
The Hammers are looking to gain a spot back in the Premier League at the first attempt. Nuno Espírito Santo managed Wolves before joining the East London club in September last year.
He couldn’t help them to escape the drop but is hoping to return them at the first time of asking.
In six games, he has led the team to three victories, two draws and just one defeat as West Ham sit second in the Championship table.
Those three wins have come in their past trio of games, with triumphs against Derby County, Bolton Wanderers and Wolves, writes Rob Beezley.
Bowen the dangerman for Irons
Santo will now be hoping his side can put a dent in Wrexham’s own hopes as the Welsh side look to use their Hollywood owners’ funds to elevate their own fortunes.
England international Jarrod Bowen has five goal involvements already this season and will be one of the players to watch in the anytime scorer market.
The Hammers have had a busy summer, signing Arne Engels, Edvin Austbo and Manor Solomon from Celtic, Viking FK and Tottenham Hotspur respectively.
Wrexham, meanwhile, sit 13th in the second tier.
The mainstay is manager Phil Parkinson, who has helped the side to multiple promotions in recent years.
The players at the club have been much changed over the rise up the leagues.
Draw specialists
Parkinson joined the Welsh club in 2021 following spells with Sunderland, Bolton Wanderers and Bradford City.
The 59-year-old has overseen just one win and one defeat this season, but they have had four draws in their opening six fixtures.
In two of those games that ended level, against Watford and Burnley, Wrexham have had to come from behind.
The away side will need a strong start against a tough West Ham side.
Summer signings
Danny Imray, formerly of Crystal Palace, has three goal contributions but the likes of Kieffer Moore and Callum O’Hare will be hoping to make their own mark on the game.
The Red Dragons had their own active summer, signing Anthony Patterson, Jacques Ekomie, Callum O’Hare and Danny Imray from Sunderland, Angers, Sheffield United and Crystal Palace respectively.
Kick-off for this early pace-setting game is at 8pm on Friday night with the match under the lights live on Sky Sports Football and Main Event.
Matt Donohue will be the man in the middle.
Prediction: West Ham United 2 Wrexham 1
