Wolves will get their Championship campaign underway on August 14, and the objective is clear: gain promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
The 2025/26 season was a disaster for Wolves, who paid the price for poor recruitment.
Too many influential and experienced players were allowed to leave, and most of the players that came in were not up to the standard expected.
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Wolves are now preparing for life in the second tier, and a new manager will lead the charge.
Cesar Peixoto has been appointed, after a bit of string pulling by Jorge Mendes, and it remains to be seen if it will be a wise move by the club. Undoubtedly, they have taken a big risk.
Wolves learned their fixtures recently, and we now look at how the Old Gold could fare at the start of the campaign.
Blackburn Rovers at home – August 14
Finish last season: 20th
Wolves open against Blackburn Rovers on a Friday night at Molineux – and that is a favourable league fixture for Peixoto to start with.
Wolves do actually have a Carabao Cup game a week before that against Port Vale, so hopefully they’ll arrive at that first game having won.
But Wolves should hopefully have enough to beat a side that only stayed up by five points last season.
Verdict: Win
Preston North End away – August 22
Finish last season: 14th
Next up is a first away trip to Preston, and a chance for Wolves to win away from Molineux in a league game for the first time since April 2025.
It’s a difficult one to predict, because Preston were a very mixed bag last season. They did really well in the first half of last season, but tailed off pretty alarmingly in the second, winning just four games from early January until the end of the campaign to finish 14th.
They did reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup though, suggesting this could be a tricky one.
Verdict: Draw
Stoke City at home – August 29
Finish last season: 17th
Wolves return to Molineux the following weekend to host Stoke City, and this is another test.
Like Preston, Stoke started well last season but really collapsed in 2026 thanks to an injury crisis, going on to finish 17th in the table.
Stoke have actually had Wolves’ number in recent times, winning five of the last six meetings.
Their wingers, Sorba Thomas and Million Manhoef, are threats. But Wolves should have enough quality to take maximum points.
Verdict: Win
West Ham United away – September 1
Finish last season: 18th (Premier League, relegated)
Wolves’ first midweek fixture of the season is an away trip to West Ham United, which will be a good measure of the early weeks of Peixoto’s reign.
West Ham are also looking to get back promoted to the Premier League at the first time of asking, and will be determined to win here.
As we know, Nuno Espirito Santo has stayed on as West Ham manager which is a blow for Wolves, who know all too well about his quality in this division.
This could well be Wolves’ first taste of defeat if they are not careful.
Verdict – Loss
Have Wolves made the right decision appointing Cesar Peixoto? 🤔
A NINTH managerial job since 2019 for Peixoto and first outside of Portugal…
Birmingham City away – September 5
Finish last season: 10th
Wolves are then back on the road a few days later to face Birmingham City at St. Andrew’s.
Blues will be looking to get promoted in 2026/27 after a disappointing attempt last term, and a win over Wolves will be something they’ll be very keen for.
It’s something of a derby, and Peixoto will hopefully be able to take all three points.
Wolves have won six of their last 10 meetings with Blues, which is reason for optimism.
Verdict – Win
PREDICTED POINTS TALLY AFTER FIRST FIVE CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES – 10 OUT OF A POSSIBLE 15.
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