Wolverhampton Wanderers have had a successful return to the Premier League gaining 25 points from 54 possible. Despite losing to Liverpool recently, Wolves had won three straight games prior.
While Wolves sit midtable, Fulham are dead last, but have improved slightly since manager Claudio Ranieri took over the team. Ranieri has obtained five points from 18 possible. While it hasn’t been great form, it has kept Fulham within touching distance of survival.
The Cottagers have secured eight points from 24 possible at home. They have registered a –8-goal difference at Craven Cottage allowing 18 goals to opponents.
Wolves, on the other hand, have tallied 11 points from 24 on the road. Nuno Espirito Santo has seen his team score just seven away goals while conceding eight. Wolves are unbeaten in four of their last six games away from Molineaux, which bodes well for a win at Craven Cottage on Boxing Day.
Ranieri can breathe relief that Fulham have no new injury issues going into the holiday season. The club hopes that left sided midfielder Ryan Sessegnon will be fit in time for the fixture. He has been nursing a groin injury. Wolves midfielder Diogo Jota is set to miss the fixture through injury.
The two clubs have a recent history against each other in the Championship. Both were promoted at the end of last season with Wolves winning the league and Fulham earning promotion through the Championship playoffs. Wolves have won four of their last six meetings with Fulham. The Cottagers have won just once while the other fixture ended in a draw in Premier League.
The clubs split the points last season with Wolves winning at home and Fulham picking up all three points at Craven Cottagers. Games between Fulham and Wolves have seen goals. Twenty-four goals have been scored in games between the pair. All six games have seen over 2.0 goals.
Fulham’s recent nil-nil draw against Newcastle was their first clean sheet of the season. Wolves are a far more difficult task than Newcastle were. Fulham will struggle against last season’s Championship winners.
Major sportsbooks have Wolves as the favourite. Fulham are five games without a win and have shipped nine goals in those fixtures. Wolves will find the back of the net, but Fulham, in need of points, will also push forward to get their own goal. Wolves will take all three points as both teams score, and over 2.5 goals are netted.