It is not often in a Premier League season you will get to round ten and be talking about the second defeat of the season for a promoted team. Well that’s exactly what happened to Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend and they travel to Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday hoping to get back to winning ways.
Brighton know a win could see them move level on points with Manchester United while Wolves are aiming to keep the pressure on the teams inside the top six.
Trends show Brighton have turned a corner recently and they have won each of their last two Premier League matches. The first win came at home against West Ham United while the second win was an away victory at Newcastle United. Both matches ended 1-0 to Brighton.
The win over West Ham was Brighton’s first in six games in all competition following the excellent 3-2 over Manchester United on the second weekend of the season.
Brighton have been tough to beat at home and trends show they have lost only one of their last seven Premier League games at the American Express Community Stadium. The wins have come over Manchester United (twice) and West Ham plus there have been draws against Tottenham Hotspur, Huddersfield Town and Fulham.
Brighton have scored in each of their last seven home Premier League games but have conceded 2 goals in three of their last four.
Wolves travel to the south coast having lost 2-0 at home to Watford last weekend. It was a shock to the system for Nuno Espírito Santo and his players who were doing well in the league up to that point.
How they bounce back from that loss will be very important as they enter a tough run of games which includes Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.
Wolves have excelled in defence this season and each of their five wins in the Premier League have come with a clean sheet. Having lost at Leicester City in their first away Premier League match of the season, Wolves have remained undefeated on the road.
They have picked up wins at West Ham and Crystal Palace plus they held Manchester United to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford. Wolves have conceded 1 goal in their last three away Premier League games.
Looking ahead to the team news and Brighton will be without the injured duo of Davy Propper and Glenn Murray, which is a big loss for the home team. Pascal Gross and Bruno will face late fitness test and remain a doubt.
Wolves have no injury or suspension concerns ahead of this game. Santo is unlikely to make any drastic changes to his team despite the defeat to Watford last weekend.
This could be a very tight game, with a clean sheet the first thought of both teams. We could see a draw and under 2.5 goals in this match.