Wolves v Liverpool – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Wolves host Liverpool in the English Premier League on Saturday evening at Molineux Stadium. After a great run of form, Bruno Lage has his side in the top eight. Liverpool is in sensational form and has scored two or more goals in their last 16 matches in all competitions. The Reds have won nine consecutive matches against the Wolves.

Wolves Form

After losing four of their first five league matches under Bruno Lage, the Wolves looked like relegation contenders. Since then, they have won five and drawn three of their next nine matches. After trailing 2-0 at Aston Villa, they scored three goals from the 80th minute onwards to win 3-2. There was also home wins against Newcastle, Everton, and West Ham.

After losing 2-0 at Crystal Palace, they bounced back with a solid display in a 1-0 home win against West Ham. Their last two matches have both ended 0-0, away at Norwich and away at Burnley.

Wolves Team News

Wolves have seven concerns for this match but they welcome back Ruben Neves after suspension in midfield. Pedro Neto and Jonny Castro are still out long-term down the left, as is another option on that side in Fernando Marcal (COVID-19).

Daniel Podence is doubtful but could be back on the bench whilst Willy Boly is injured and is racing against time to be fit for the Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast. Adama Traore is expected to get the nod over Francisco Trincão in the attack.

Wolves Motivation

Wolves would take a draw in a heartbeat from this match. Bruno Lage plays more progressively than Nuno Espirito Santo but his side can still go into a back five and counter at pace. They look solid at the back with three shutouts in a row.

They could play for a draw from the start, using Traore’s pace as an outlet.

Liverpool Form

Klopp’s team is looking sensational. One loss in 29 matches and one defeat in 23 in the league has them looking back to their very best level. They have netted two or more goals (usually more) in their last 11 league matches. No team has stopped them from scoring.

After a 3-2 defeat away at West Ham, Liverpool beat Arsenal 4-0 and Porto 2-0. A 4-0 thrashing of Southampton and a 4-1 win at Everton followed. They could have won both of those matches by an even bigger margin.

Liverpool Team News

Liverpool remains with fewer midfield options as Curtis Jones, Naby Keita, and Harvey Elliott are injured. Joe Gomez is also out, as is Roberto Firmino.

In a very busy fixture list, Klopp may feel he needs to make two or three changes to protect players from injuries. James Milner or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could come in for the injury-prone Thiago Alcantara in midfield. Kosta Tsimikas could start to hand Andy Robertson a break.

Liverpool Motivation

The Reds have a dead rubber in the Champions League in midweek so all focus can be on this match. They won’t settle for anything less than a win and they will continue to attack even if leading comfortably.

Key Stats

Wolves have kept 3 clean sheets in a row (W1, D2)

Wolves are winless in 8 home matches with Liverpool

Wolves have lost their last 9 PL matches against Liverpool (20-2 aggregate)

Liverpool have lost 1 of their last 29 matches

LFC have scored 2+ goals in each of their last 11 PL matches

Liverpool have scored in every PL match this season

Verdict

Liverpool should be too good for Wolves despite the home side’s big improvements of late.

Best Bet: Liverpool win (-1 handicap) at 2.20
Value Bet: Liverpool HT/Liverpool FT + Over 2.5 goals at 3.05
Value Bet: Liverpool to win both halves at 3.60
Goalscorer Tip: Diogo Jota anytime goalscorer at 2.30

James O'Connor

James is a football analyst who writes about the tactics of the PSL and English Premier League. He holds the UEFA A coaching licence and has previously worked for several clubs in analysis roles.Twitter: https://twitter.com/footy_analysis