Relegation-battling Wolves host top-four chasing Manchester United in a huge clash at Molineux.
Victory will see Wolves climb out of the relegation zone, whilst Man Utd can go fourth in the table with a win because Tottenham don’t play until New Year’s Day.
Team News
Daniel Podence is a doubt for Wolves after he suffered a leg injury during their comeback win at Everton on Boxing Day.
Jonny (hamstring) and Boubacar Traore (knock) both face late fitness tests but Chiquinho, Sasa Kalajdzic (both knee) and Pedro Neto (ankle) remain ruled out.
Man Utd could hand Victor Lindelof and Scott McTominay late fitness tests after the pair missed the midweek win over Nottingham Forest.
Diogo Dalot (hamstring) and Lisandro Martinez (personal) could also face late fitness tests but Axel Tuanzebe (unspecified), Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood (both personal) remain absent.
Stat Attack
- Wolves have claimed four points from their last five meetings against Man Utd (W1, D1, L3).
- Man Utd have won two of their last four visits to Molineux (W2, D1, L1).
- Utd have scored in each of their last seven Premier League visits to Molineux.
- Wolves have kept just one clean sheet in their last five home matches (W1, L4), which came in a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest in October 2022.
- Marcus Rashford has been involved in three of Utd’s last five goals in all competitions, in which he scored twice and provided one assist.
Prediction
Having conceded early at Everton with some sloppy marking from a corner, Wolves could of easily let their game drop but they instead grew throughout with resilience and clinical play, which ultimately paid off but this game will pose a much harder challenge where everything will have to be perfect.
Man Utd meanwhile are yet to concede since returning from the World Cup break and were absolutely clinical in their home win against Forest, so I do expect them to come out looking to continue their energetic yet clinical attacking play in what could be a tough game.
All pressure though will be on Wolves because their defence has been their biggest weakness this season but if they can tighten up and continue their improvements, they could well be in with a chance at snatching a point but Utd are in good form with a much tighter defence.
Prediction: Wolves 1-2 Manchester United
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