Prediction: Wolves vs Crystal Palace

Verdict: Both teams to score – no

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Unibet

Hoping to make a return to winning ways on Saturday afternoon, Wolves will welcome Crystal Palace to Molineux when this weekend’s Premier League fixtures get underway.

Wolves

Starting with the hosts, while Wolves might have gained plenty of plaudits since bringing in new boss Bruno Lage last summer, they do find themselves in the midst of a downbeat run. Last seen putting in a toothless display away at fellow European contenders West Ham, the former Benfica boss has seen his side suffer back-to-back Premier League defeats for the first time since opening 2022. In fact, along with a pair of defeats against Champions League hopefuls Arsenal last month, the Golds have lost four of their previous six matchups across all formats. Watching leading relegation scrappers Norwich end their FA Cup adventure on February 5th thanks to a lacklustre 1-0 loss at Molineux, Lage will be calling on his side to find some stability. Opening this weekend’s fixtures sat five points adrift of the top-six, Wolves will know that they should face a must-win showdown here.

Team News

Suffering that 1-0 loss away at West Ham last weekend, the likes of Raul Jiminez, Daniel Podence and Joao Moutinho look set for a recall on Saturday afternoon.

However, Wolves will once again be without full-back Nelson Semedo who is dealing with a thing injury.

Crystal Palace

As for the visitors, managing to book their spot in the quarter-final of this year’s FA Cup earlier in the week, there is no doubt that Crystal Palace will be desperate to build off of that result. Eventually coming past Championship outfit Stoke at Selhurst Park, the Eagles still have the feel of a side seeking some stability. Last seen on Premier League duties having to settle for a 1-1 draw against relegation scrappers Burnley on home soil, Patrick Vieira’s men have gained somewhat of a reputation as a stalemate specialist this season. In fact, aside from their thumping 4-1 win against Watford on February 23rd, the former Arsenal skipper has seen his side record just a single top-flight victory from their previous eight fixtures since opening 2022. With their sights set on clinching a top-half finish this year, the Eagles might be smelling the chance to cause an upset here.

Team News

Patrick Vieira’s side have no fresh injury issues to worry about ahead of their trip to Molineux on Saturday.

Given a rest against Stoke in midweek, Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher will make his return in Palace’s midfield.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Saturday’s opponents faced off for their reverse meeting on November 6th, Crystal Palace picked up a 2-0 win on home soil.
• Each of their last eight meetings across all formats have finished with under 2.5 goals.
• Likewise, only one of those eight meetings have finished with both teams finding the net.
• Wolves have lost four of their last six matchups against Premier League opposition.
• Crystal Palace have managed to win just one of their eight Premier League matchups since opening 2022.

Conclusion

With Wolves gaining a reputation for their rather compact approach this season, we could be in for another cagey affair at Molineux this weekend. Suffering a 1-0 loss away at fellow European contenders West Ham last time out, Saturday’s hosts are in the midst of a recent blip. Up against a Crystal Palace side who are also seeking some much-needed stability, it should be noted that the pair do have a habit of producing low-scoring outcomes. With each of their last eight straight meetings seeing under 2.5 goals by the final whistle, we’re backing a similar outcome in the Midlands here.

Verdict: Both teams to score – no

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Unibet