Verdict: Over 2.5 goals
Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: Bet365
Liverpool will be looking to extend their advantage at the top of the Premier League table when they travel to Molineux on Friday night.
Wolves
Starting with the hosts, appearing to bounce back from their struggles last month, Wolves have their sights firmly set on securing European football this season. Coming off the back of a 2-0 win over Bournemouth last time out, the Oranges have won their last three Premier League matches on the bounce and another victory on Friday night will be the first time Nuno Espírito Santo’s side have won four consecutive top-flight games in nearly four decades. With the chance to briefly leapfrog Manchester United in the table, Wolves will also be boosted by their recent record at Molineux. Friday’s hosts have already taken points off of Chelsea and Manchester City on home soil. If they are to pull off another seismic upset and extend their winning run against Liverpool, Santo’s will be looking for leading goalscorer Raúl Jiménez to lead from the front. The Benfica loanee found the net against the Cherries last weekend and has now been directly involved in nine of Wolves’ 19 Premier League goals this season.
Team News
Wolves winger Diogo Jota is ruled out because of the hamstring problem that forced him off against Bournemouth.
Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has no other new injury concerns.
Liverpool
As for the visitors, coming off the back of their 3-1 win against Manchester United last weekend, many around Anfield believe this could be the year that Liverpool clinch the title. Entering a hectic Christmas schedule, Jurgen Klopp’s side currently hold a one-point advantage over the defending champions. Shipping just three league goals in their opening 17 games, the Reds comfortably hold the best defensive record in the division and are also enjoying a 17-match unbeaten run in the Premier League, a run that stems all the way back to May. Now winning their last five matches across all competitions and also booking their spot in the knockout stage of this year’s Champions League, Liverpool’s points tally of 45 is their brightest start to a top-flight campaign. Desperate to widen the gap at the top of the table, the former Borussia Dortmund boss will be looking for last year’s PFA Player of the Year to carry on what has been a very impressive run of form. Mohamed Salah has already bagged 10 league goals this season and has also recorded four goals in his last three matches across all competitions.
Team News
Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is again set to miss out with a sprained ankle, but he should return over the festive period.
James Milner, who sat out Sunday’s victory versus Manchester United because of a minor muscle problem, is expected to be available.
Key Factors to Consider
- Wolves are winless in four Premier League home meetings, with their only goal a 90th-minute equaliser from Kenny Miller in a 1-1 draw on 21 January 2004.
- The Oranges are looking to win four consecutive top-flight games for the first time in nearly four decades.
- Wolves have lost 11 successive top-flight games played on a Friday. Their last win on a Friday came against Sunderland in April 1965.
- The Reds have won their last five games in league and cup.
- They have earned seven successive league victories against newly-promoted sides, scoring a total of 23 goals and conceding just twice.
Conclusion
On paper, this looks like a game that could produce plenty of chances. Both sides are enjoying a stellar run in the final third and have now scored a combined 18 goals in their last eight matches, Wolves and Liverpool have also recorded two or more goals in each of their last three Premier League outings. Two sides who play a very eye-catching attacking style of play, we’re backing plenty of goals at Molineux.
Verdict: Over 2.5 goals
Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: Bet365
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