Wolves, on Sunday, have a home game at Molineux for what is set to be their last home game of the season; with the aim of providing some cheer for fans who have endured an absolutely awful season of English football. This will be a make-or-break match, in which the team aims to end the miserable year on a positive note. Wolverhampton Wanderers have had one of the most difficult seasons in the English Premier League after a confirmation that the club is relegated to the second-tier league.
Fulham, however, has a lot riding on their shoulders in terms of securing the seventh position. With Marco Silva at the helm, the club is aiming to secure its place in Europe next season; although that looks unlikely given their 11th place in the table at the moment. Having five points fewer than Brighton, the team has only two games left in its quest for European qualification. The game at Molineux could mean a league double for Fulham.
FORM
- Wolverhampton Wanderers (LLLDL)
- Fulham (LDWLL)
Both sides arrive at Molineux struggling for momentum. Wolves are enduring a miserable seven-game winless streak in all competitions, while Fulham have hit a massive rough patch at the worst possible time, picking up just one victory from their last five league outings.
INSIGHTS
- The Unwanted Goalscoring Record: Wolverhampton Wanderers have been unable to open their accounts in a league-leading number of 19 matches in the current Premier League season. Should they continue their struggles in front of goal in the upcoming encounter, the Old Gold will become only the 11th club in Premier League history not to register a goal in at least 20 league matches during a campaign.
- A Historic Double on the Line: Despite being evenly matched teams, Fulham have not managed to pull off a league double against Wolves for the last 46 seasons. Having already secured victory against Wolves in one of the league matches this term, Silva can end this long-standing hoodoo.
- Molineux Finale Blues: The Old Gold have disappointed their home fans for the last five consecutive Premier League seasons by not winning their last home game (D3 L2). On the other hand, Fulham have been triumphant in their final away fixture of the season in the last two campaigns.
Team News
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Rob Edwards faces a major dilemma between the sticks. His first choice goalkeeper, José Sá, is in doubt over fitness problems, while his second-choice goalkeeper, Sam Johnstone, is out due to shoulder problems. This would mean that the experience of Daniel Bentley would be needed again to try to provide stability for the back three of Pedro Lima, Toti Gomes, and Santiago Bueno. Further up the pitch, Leon Chiwome and Enso González are both out due to knee problems, meaning that Adam Armstrong will lead the attack.
Expected XI: Bentley; Lima, Toti Gomes, S. Bueno; Tchatchoua, J. Gomes, André, H. Bueno; Bellegarde, Mané; Armstrong.
Fulham
The biggest setback for the West Londoners comes with the suspension of center-back Joachim Andersen after being sent off in the last game against Bournemouth. In his absence, it is anticipated that Jorge Cuenca will team up with Calvin Bassey to form the defensive duo. Ryan Sessegnon continues to miss games due to his ongoing thigh injury; however, there is some good news regarding Alex Iwobi, who has made himself available for selection in the midfield, together with Sander Berge. In attack, Rodrigo Muniz is expected to get a rare opportunity from the get-go.
Expected XI: Leno; Castagne, Cuenca, Bassey, Robinson; Iwobi, Berge; Wilson, King, Bobb; Muniz.
Prediction: Narrow 2-1 win in favour of Fulham. Even though Wolves will definitely strive to restore some pride among their own faithful fans at Molineux, they cannot hide from their dire problems when it comes to clinical finishing in the final third. Fulham simply have better players, and the fact that even a top-half placement is still up for grabs for them means that there will be enough firepower to get past the relegation candidates.
