MY ACCOUNT
– Both teams have scored in three of Wolves’ last four PL games
– Both teams have scored in three of Brentford’s last four PL games
– Recommended Bet: Back Both Teams to Score – Yes
Wolves will look to follow up last weekend’s home win over Chelsea when they entertain another faltering West London club, Brentford, at Molineux.
Julen Lopetegui’s side have not always been at their best on home turf recently, slipping up against relegation rivals Bournemouth and Leeds, but they have stepped up to meet the challenge when hosting higher-placed opponents.
Visitors Brentford are ninth and seeking to halt a two-game losing run after narrow defeats to top-four contenders Manchester United and Newcastle.
After being critical of the Magpies’ “dark arts” last weekend, Bees boss Thomas Frank has praised Wolves, suggesting that “on their day, they can beat anyone.”
Team news
Lopetegui has reported no fresh injury concerns to add to Wolves’ long-term casualty list.
Daniel Podence is available despite facing an FA charge for an alleged spitting incident. However, defender Jonny and midfielder Ruben Neves will both sit out another game as they complete their suspensions.
As for Brentford, Frank has revealed that defender Pontus Jansson has sustained a hamstring injury that will “most likely keep him out for the rest of the season”.
Mathias Jorgensen, who came on for the Swede in the first half against Newcastle, is the probable replacement for him in the starting XI.
Frank Onyeka is fit again and should come back into the squad after overcoming a slight hamstring complaint.
The stats
Wolves have not lost any of the eight Premier League matches in which they have taken the lead under Lopetegui.
Scoring the first goal at Molineux could be decisive as only Nottingham Forest (five) have recovered fewer points from losing positions than Brentford (six) this term.
Lopetegui’s side restricted Chelsea to just one attempt on target last week, the joint-lowest number they have faced in any game this season.
Brentford have taken 27 points from the 13 Premier League games where they have recorded less than 38% possession and just 16 points from the 17 games where they have had greater than a 39% share of the ball.
Three of Wolves’ last four league wins have come when they have had less than 47% possession.
Prediction
Wolves are in a good place, particularly in front of their home fans, who appreciate how much improvement Lopetegui has elicited from the previously underperforming squad.
But they can still be tough to watch because the team lack a striker with the instinct to finish off some of the situations they create.
Usually more effective when playing against sides who dominate possession, it will be interesting to see how Wolves get on against a Brentford side who prefer not to have the ball.
Games like these can often surprise, with a higher-than-expected number of shots coming from the confusion created by teams forced out of their comfort zone.
Both teams could get on the scoresheet again, as they have each done in three of their last four Premier League games.
Back Both Teams to Score – Yes at 17/20 with LiveScore Bet.
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