Wolves will host Sunderland at Molineux on Sunday, with both teams eager to return to winning ways this weekend.
Wolves are going down to the EFL Championship, and they have lost three Premier League games ahead of the match vs Sunderland at Molineux on Saturday. They have nothing to play for, but they will look to give the fans something to cheer about.
On the other hand, Sunderland are pushing for a place in the top half. The Black Cats are 12th in the Premier League table, and they are coming into this game on the back of two defeats in the league. They will look to bounce back with a win. It will be interesting to see if they can finish the season strongly.
The Wearside outfit will certainly fancy their chances against Wolves here. The hosts are in poor form, and they are struggling with a lack of form and confidence. With nothing to play for, they could be slip up again here. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Wolves
Rob Edwards will be without Enso Gonzalez Medina (knee), Ladislav Krejci (neck), and Sam Johnstone (shoulder). Meanwhile, Yerson Mosquera continues his suspension. Wolves are likely to shape up in a 3-4-2-1 formation vs Sunderland, with Dan Bentley in goal.
In the back three, Toti Gomes will start alongside Pedro Lima and Santiago Bueno. Jackson Tchatchoua and Hugo Bueno will start as the wing-backs here. They will look to keep things tight at the back and hit Spurs on the break.
As for the midfield unit, Joao Gomes and Andre Trindade will add defensive cover and control from the middle of the park. Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Mateus Mane will start as the attacking midfielders here. They will add width, place and flair to the team and help create opportunities for their teammates. Finally, Adam Armstrong will lead the line for Wolves vs Sunderland.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Bentley; Lima, Toti Gomes, Santiago Bueno; Tchatchoua, Joao Gomes, Andre, Hugo Bueno; Bellegarde, Mane; Armstrong
Sunderland
Simon Moore (wrist), Romaine Mundle (thigh), Bertrand Traore (knee), Nilson Angulo (knock), and Jocelin Ta Bi (ankle) are ruled out for the away side. Sunderland will line up in a 4-3-3 formation vs Wolves, with Robin Roefs in goal.
Lutsharel Geertruida and Arthur Masuaku will start as the full-backs. They will look to help out at both ends of the pitch. Meanwhile, Nordi Mukiele will start alongside Omar Alderete at the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Chris Rigg will add creativity and control alongside Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki. Xhaka and Sadiki will look to break up opposition attacks, win the ball back for the away side and set up transitions.
Enzo Le Fee and Chemsdine Talbi will start on the flanks. They will look to add pace, flair, and goals from the wide areas. Finally, Wilson Isidor will spearhead the Sunderland attack vs Wolves on Saturday.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Roefs; Geertruida, Alderete, Mukiele, Masuaku; Sadiki, Xhaka, Rigg; Le Fee, Isidor, Talbi
Key Stats
- Wolves have failed to win 35 of their last 38 matches in the Premier League.
- Sunderland have kept a clean sheet in their last four matches against Wolves in all competitions. Meanwhile, 12 goals have been scored in the last six matches between these two teams
- Wolves have failed to score in their last three matches in the Premier League. In fact, they have failed to net in a league-high 18 different Premier League games this season. The last team to fail in more were Norwich City in 2021/22 (22), while it is Wolves’ third most in a top-flight campaign after 1983/84 (22) and 1981/82 (20).
- Wolves have lost all four of their Premier League games against promoted sides this season. Only four teams have ever lost five in a single campaign: Ipswich Town (1994.95), Sunderland (2002/03), Leicester City and Southampton (both 2022/23).
- Sunderland have conceded from just 9.2% of their shots faced in the Premier League this season (45 goals conceded from 491 shots), the third best rate in the competition. However, opponents Wolves have the lowest shot conversion rate of any side this term (7.6%).
Player to watch
Enzo Le Fee
The Sunderland playmaker is our key player to watch out for. He will look to create opportunities for his teammates in the final third and perhaps get on the score sheet as well. Wolves have been quite poor offensively, and he is likely to create opportunities to open up their defence with his passing, vision, and flair.
Wolves will need to keep Le Fee quiet if they want to get a good result here. On the other hand, the visitors will hope that he can help them in the final third and make a defining impact.
Prediction
Wolves 1-2 Sunderland
Sunderland will be desperate for a victory here. The Black Cats have had a reasonably good season since promotion, and finishing in the top half will be the icing on the cake. Regis Le Bris has a good team, and his charges should be able to grind out a positive result here.
Wolves will put up a fight at home, but they are struggling right now, and they are likely to come up short. Both teams will get on the score sheet, but Sunderland has more quality in the final third, and they should be able to grind out a narrow victory. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Le Bris and his charges.
