Wolves host Liverpool on Saturday evening in the Premier League. The hosts have just one point from five matches, having conceded 14 goals. The Reds have won their last three encounters with Wolves by a two-goal margin.
Wolves Form
Wolves lost seven of their final 10 matches last season. This term, they’ve suffered four losses in five league fixtures. Overall, they have won just once in their last 15 EPL matches. This campaign began with a 2-0 loss at Arsenal, where they allowed 18 shots. A 6-2 home thrashing by Chelsea followed, with four second-half goals conceded.
A 2-0 League Cup win over Burnley provided some relief before a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest for their only point of the season. Their last three matches have ended in defeats: 2-1 at home to Newcastle, 3-2 against Brighton in the Carabao Cup, and 3-1 at Aston Villa. They led 1-0 after 72 minutes at Villa Park before falling apart.
Wolves Team News
Coach Gary O’Neil has seen captain Max Kilman sold and may recall Craig Dawson to strengthen the defense. Yerson Mosquera had a tough debut and could lose his place. Nelson Semedo remains suspended at right-back.
Mario Lemina is available after an injury and is expected to start. Matheus Cunha is also likely to return in the number nine role for this match. Young winger Enso Gonzalez is a doubt.
Wolves Motivation
Gary O’Neil is still without long-term injury victims Sasa Kalajdzic and Enso Medina. Boubacar Traore will also be unavailable for a few more weeks.
The big news is the injury to center-back Yerson Mosquera. He struggled to replace the sold Max Kilman, but his injury leaves little cover. Toni Gomes could return to fill the void.
Liverpool Form
Liverpool have had a strong start to the post-Jurgen Klopp era. They won 2-0 at Ipswich in Arne Slot’s first match in charge and dominated Brentford with a 2-0 win at Anfield (19 shots, 2.65 xG). A 3-0 demolition of Manchester United followed at Old Trafford, with six ‘big chances’ created.
The international break harmed their momentum as they put in a toothless performance in a 1-0 home loss to Nottingham Forest, producing just 0.94 xG. That defeat was quickly forgotten with a 3-1 win away at AC Milan, with 3.09 xG and 23 shots. Two more convincing wins followed: a 3-0 home win over Bournemouth and a 5-1 victory against West Ham in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
Liverpool Team News
The Reds have a major question mark over goalkeeper Alisson Becker due to a muscle injury. Caoimhin Kelleher is on standby to deputize for the third straight match. Harvey Elliott will play no part due to a foot injury.
Arne Slot made nine changes to his XI in midweek but is set to revert to the same team from the Bournemouth win. Darwin Nunez is expected to lead the line ahead of Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota.
Liverpool Motivation
Liverpool are one point behind Manchester City going into the weekend. They need a win to keep pace with the champions.
A draw would be a poor result, and Arne Slot is likely to take risks in the second half if needed to try to secure all three points.
Key Stats
Wolves have lost 11 of their last 15 EPL matches.
Wolves have lost by exactly two goals in their last three matches against Liverpool.
Liverpool have won 6 of their 7 matches this season (18 goals scored).
Liverpool have scored 2+ goals in their last 4 away EPL matches (10 goals scored).
Verdict
Wolves look fragile at the back, while Liverpool appear potent in attack. The Reds should score at least three goals, and a victory by an exact two-goal margin is worth backing.
Best Bet: Liverpool win (-1 handicap) at 1.95
Value Bet: Liverpool win by exactly 2 goals at 4.20
Alternate Bet: Half with most goals – 2nd half at 1.95
Goalscorer Tip: Darwin Nunez to score anytime at 2.25