Wolverhampton Wanderers’ aspirations for Champions League qualification took a hit in back-to-back weeks. Bruno Lage’s men lost 2-1 to Arsenal and 1-0 to West Ham. The defeats leave Wolves in eighth place after 26 games.
Seven points now separate Wolverhampton and the top four. Still, European qualification could happen and it was made more possible by second-place Liverpool winning the EFL Cup a week ago.
Hard work and good vibes, @Raul_Jimenez9!🇲🇽😁 pic.twitter.com/qM2R9rznpo— Wolves (@Wolves) March 3, 2022
Hard work and good vibes, @Raul_Jimenez9!🇲🇽😁 pic.twitter.com/qM2R9rznpo
On Saturday, Wolves host 11th-place Crystal Palace. The Old Gold are aiming to end their two-match losing streak, while Crystal Palace are on a two-match undefeated run.
A win could send Patrick Vieira’s team into the top half of the table. Qualification to Europe is far off for Crystal Palace, but Vieira will be content with the season. Crystal Palace have a lot that they can build off of for next term.
Crystal Palace won their last two matches versus Wolverhampton. Earlier this season, Crystal Palace won 2-0 at home thanks to second half goals from Wilfried Zaha and Conor Gallagher.
Although Palace have won back-to-back games against Wolverhampton Wanderers, the two fixtures were played at Selhurst Park. Crystal Palace lost their last three matches in all competitions at Molineux. The last five games between these teams ended as wins to nil for the home team.
Despite losing their last two matches, Wolves picked up nine points from the last 18 points possible. They scored seven goals and conceded six times. Wolverhampton have been hot and cold at Molineux this season with a record of 5W-2D-5L.
Crystal Palace picked up six points from the last 18 points available in the division. They scored seven goals and conceded seven goals to opponents. Palace are unbeaten in four straight away games with three of those finishing as draws. Their away record in the league is 2W-6D-5L.
Just one player is injured for Wolverhampton as defender Nelson Semedo is ruled out with a thigh injury. Vieira is missing Nathan Ferguson but could have Joel Ward fit to play.
Crystal Palace’s issue this season has been an inability to turn draws into wins. They lead the league in draws with 12 from 27 matches. Wolverhampton have drawn four of 26 games in the league.
Wolverhampton desperately need to end their losing streak to have hope of making Europe. A draw would do for Lage and at full-time, a score draw should be the result. It should be another low-scoring affair with under 2.5 goals scored.