Wolves vs Manchester United Preview and Prediction

Wolves vs Manchester United Preview

Eleventh-placed Wolves will host Manchester United at the Molinuex Stadium in the Premier League on Friday, February 2. Knowing a win would get them level on points with their visitors, the hosts will be licking their lips ahead of this game.

Gary O’Neil’s men enter this contest on the back of a good run of form. They have lost just once in their last nine games, securing five wins and three draws. Also unbeaten in their last six, Wolves have scored 13 goals and conceded just five. This has helped them climb closer to the top half of the table in 11^th place with 29 points from 21 games. Another win could see them break into the top half and facing a fragile United side could prove the perfect opportunity to do so.

Manchester United, on the other hand, are slightly worse off in terms of recent form. They have won just twice in their last eight games, losing four times and securing two draws. In this time, the Red Devils have scored a worrying eight goals and conceded 12 goals. Erik ten Hag will need to address his team’s defensive woes as they enter the business end of the campaign. A win could see the visitors climb to seventh place in the table and they will aim to do that.

That said, let’s take a look at the team news for both the sides.

Team News & Probable Lineups

Wolves

The hosts will be without Hwang Hee-chan, who is representing South Korea at the AFC Asian Cup. Boubacar Traore (Mali) will also be unavailable as he is at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Meanwhile, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Joao Gomes should return to the side following their absence.

Manager O’Neil will return to his preferred starting XI with nearly his entire core group at his disposal for this fixture.

Probable XI: Jose Sa (GK), Max Kilman (C), Craig Dawson, Toti Gomes, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tommy Doyle, Mario Lemina, Nelson Semedo, Pablo Sarabia, Matheus Cunha, Pedro Neto.

Manchester United

Tyrell Malacia and Mason Mount remain unavailable for the long-term and are increasingly looking unlikely to return this season. Centre-backs Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof are both out with groin issues.

Goalkeeper Andre Onana should return to the squad following Cameroon’s elimination from the AFCON round of 16. Ten Hag will likely stick with his strongest XI as they look to win games in succession. Lisandro Martinez, too, could be in line to make his first start since returning from injury.

Probable XI: Andre Onana (GK), Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Christian Eriksen, Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes (C), Marcus Rashford, Rasmus Hojlund.

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Wolves vs Manchester United Head-to-Head & Prediction

Last 5 Games H2H (PL)

• Man Utd 1-0 Wolves (08/23)
• Man Utd 2-0 Wolves (05/23)
• Wolves 0-1 Man Utd (12/22)
• Man Utd 0-1 Wolves (01/22)
• Wolves 0-1 Man Utd (08/21)

As you can see, each of the last five fixtures have seen the winner keep a clean sheet en-route to victory. United lead the recent head-to-head, though, securing four wins to Wolves’ one. Their meetings have also been tightly-contested affairs with one or two goals deciding the result.

The upcoming clash could be another close game as these points are important for both teams. United haven’t won away in the Premier League since November and Wolves could capitalize on this.

Prediction: Wolves 2-1 Manchester United.

Betting Tips

• Both Teams to Score: Yes.
• Wolves: Win/Draw Double Chance.
• Matheus Cunha: Anytime Goalscorer.

Odds

• Wolves Win: 2.75
• Draw: 3.60
• Man Utd Win: 2.50

Top Players to Watch

Wolves

With Hwang’s participation in this game contingent on his nation’s progress in the Asian Cup, Matheus Cunha will be trusted with the goalscoring duties. The Brazilian has been crucial for Wolves this season and has bagged 11 goal contributions in the Premier League.

The 24-year-old has bagged seven goals and provided six assists in 24 games across competitions this season. He had a very productive December, scoring three and assisting three goals and will look to carry that forward into this game.

Manchester United

Marcus Rashford will be under pressure after barely managing to show glimpses of his stellar form from last season. Having bagged 30 goals and 11 assists in 56 games last season, the Englishman has managed just four goals and six assists in 26 games this time around.

Should United aim to finish their season well and make the top four, they will need Rashford and a couple others to be firing on all cylinders.

Wolves vs Manchester United Timings & Telecast

• Date & Time: Friday, February 2^nd 1:45 AM (IST).
• India: Star Sports Network, Hotstar app & website.
• UK: Sky Sports.
• US: Peacock Premium.

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