Ace Football previews the Premier League match between Wolves and Leeds United, and offers betting tips, odds, line-ups, and team news.
11th meets 12th as Leeds United take the trip to Molineux on Friday night to lock horns with an in-form Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Two points are all that lies between them in the Premier League table, making this an important match for both clubs. Defeat against a direct rival is simply not acceptable – especially with their prospects of European football for next season still very much alive.
It could be a close affair in the West Midlands, with a single Raul Jimenez goal proving the difference in the reverse fixture at Elland Road in October. But while Wolves have turned a corner recently, Leeds’ unpredictability means nothing is off the table.
Wolves Form & Stats
Nuno Espirito Santo’s men have struggled for consistency all season and only recently ended an eight-match winless run. It’s been a disappointing campaign down in 12th-place on 30 points from 24 games (W8 D6 L10). Hopes of a third consecutive seventh-place finish, therefore, appear remote at this time.
A 2-1 comeback victory at Southampton last weekend, however, proved their resolve. Nuno’s tactical changes in the second half were pivotal, with Ruben Neves and Pedro Neto grabbing the match-winning goals. It was the club’s second win in three league games, granting them seven points out of a possible nine.
Neves, in particular, has stood out in the absence of Wolves’ injured star striker Raul Jimenez. The 23-year-old has scored two goals in his last four appearances and also assisted Neto’s winner at St Mary’s.
The three-time English champions are now gunning for back-to-back wins for the first time since October.
Key Team Stats
- Won 2 of their last 3 league games.
- On a four-match winning run against Leeds in all competitions.
- Unbeaten in their last 8 games in the English top-flight against Leeds (W5 D3).
- Haven’t won back-to-back league games since October.
- Only won 4 of their 12 home league games (D4 L4).
- Ruben Neves has scored 4 goals in 7 league games in 2021.
Leeds United Form & Stats
The Whites, meanwhile, travel to Molineux off the back of a 4-2 loss to Arsenal last weekend. Despite a disastrous first 47 minutes, Leeds launched an impressive fightback to score two second-half goals.
That said, Marcelo Bielsa’s side can return to the top 10 on Friday by beating Wolves. Last season’s Championship winners have won 10 of their 23 Premier League games this season (D2 L11), with six of them coming on the road. In fact, they have won exactly half of their 12 away games (L6) in the English top-flight.
Leeds tend to perform best in the second-half, having only held a half-time lead twice this season. Both forwards Patrick Bamford and Raphinha, meanwhile, have enjoyed standout campaigns and need to be at their best, especially as Kalvin Phillips remains unavailable.
Key Team Stats
- Won 3 of their last 5 league games (L2).
- Aim to win their 200th Premier League game on Friday.
- Six of their 10 league wins have come away from home.
- Kept only 1 clean sheet in their last 7 league games.
- Conceded 19 goals from set-pieces in the league.
- Won 6 of their last 7 away league games outside London.
- 8 of Patrick Bamford’s 12 Premier League goals have come away from home.
Team News
Wolves
Out: Raul Jimenez, Willy Boly, Daniel Podence.
Doubts: N/A.
Leeds United
Out: Kalvin Phillips, Rodrigo, Robin Koch, Gaetano Berardi, Ian Poveda-Ocampo, Adam Forshaw.
Doubts: N/A.
Predicted Line-ups
(Note: The image will change to the official XI once they’re both announced)
Top Goalscorers in the Premier League
Head-To-Head Record (Premier League)
Below are some head-to-head stats on each team’s recent form in the Premier League.
Betting Tips
DC: X2 – Double Chance on Away Team (Leeds United)
More Odds
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