Sometimes an extended break comes at the right time.
Wolves needed a reset after that meek outing at St James’ Park and hopefully, they can now attack this fixture with more energy and intent.
Results elsewhere were positive for the most part with the gap below still substantial and West Ham unable to cement their position above.
If the lads can rouse themselves to collect six points from the next two, they’d give themselves a wonderful chance of finishing seventh.
We’ve yet to win at Turf Moor since returning to the Premier League and now would be a handy time to improve our record.
Burnley
If sacking Sean Dyche was supposed to give them a bounce, it worked. Four points from the last two games has put them right back in contention for survival and might even make them slight favourites given Everton’s difficult run-in.
Southampton were routinely swept aside on Thursday so morale in their camp should be high for this one. They know a draw would be enough to lift them out of the relegation zone ahead of Everton’s trip to Anfield.
Scoring goals has been a problem for the Clarets again this season, with just 28 in the league so far. Only Norwich have managed fewer.
Defensively, they’re still strong with a better goals-against record than both Man Utd and Leicester. They’re always competitive and that always gives them a chance.
A home record of won four, drawn six, lost six isn’t particularly intimidating but they’ve won the last two at Turf Moor and scored five goals in the process so the danger signs are there.
Wolves
With Neves, Podence and Kilman all out Bruno is operating with limited options, but at least a few of the senior players are back.
The above is the team I’d like to see, which I think has the physicality to combat Burnley’s direct style and inflict enough damage when we’ve got the ball.
Semedo down the right and Jonny down the left is an experiment I feel Bruno has to attempt at some point so it might as well be now. Both are too good not to be in the side.
Raul should be hungry after a couple of weeks of clicking his heels and maybe Pedro might have enough football in him now to be more effective from the start.
News that Moutinho reportedly wants to stay and Wolves want to keep him is encouraging, so I hope they get that worked out. He’s once again been a major part of our success this season.
Last time out
Although we couldn’t break Burnley down at Molineux earlier in the season I felt the approach was right and we did a lot of good things. Traore smashed the underside of the bar in a typically frustrating night in front of goal.
We lost 2-1 in this fixture last season, which already feels a lifetime ago. They completely bullied us and the only shining light was Fabio who came on to win and score a penalty on an otherwise horrible night. It was even worse at Molineux when they drummed us 4-0 later in the season.
Predictions
Nobody thought we’d lose 1-0 to Newcastle so that’s nice and easy.
Brompton Wolf remains clear at the top of the overall table at the end of Gameweek 32.
As always, if you’d like to join in, it’s simple – just leave your prediction in the comment section below using the boxes provided. Then repeat for every preview article throughout the season, making sure you always use the same email address to make your prediction. Your email is what ties you to your overall score.
You can read my prediction for the game in the comment section below.
Up The Wolves!
Polite request – when commenting in the preview article after the game has finished, can you not place score predictions in the boxes, please? It confuses the system. Many thanks.
Go on then, I’ll give us the benefit of the doubt. We looked like a team marooned in 8th and already on the beach against Newcastle, but Bruno doesn’t strike me as a guy who will settle for that between now and May.
Yes, this is going to be a big ask given their recent upturn in form and there’s every chance they once again bully us off the pitch, but at the same time, there’s a reason they’re down at the bottom.
I hope we can get hold of the ball and play in their half. There’s a slight concern about where the chance creation is coming from without Neves or Podence and that’s one of the big reasons I think we need both Semedo and Jonny in the side as they can get into good positions and open the game up for the likes of Trincao, Neto, Hwang and most importantly, Raul.
Yes, Fabio has done quite well in the last two, but no goals and I think we need the main man back in there immediately. A goalscorer is so often the difference in fixtures like this and even though he’s not been at his best, he’s still the premier number 9 on show for either side and we must take advantage of that.
Still positive we can get Europe this season
A win here is a must for euro footie next season.
Happy Saint Georges day
It’s a win , obviously to us, and a big one .
Come on you wolves
not confident at all
I’m nervous for this one with us not typically being happy travellers to Turf Moor, plus there recent upturn and motivation to chase down Everton.
A much better performance than against Newcastle is a minimum, and hopefully the cards fall in our favour otherwise will not a happy Sunday make ?
Come on everybody Lennon and Cork in the side for them lets get out there and put em away. Send em down to where they need to be.
Make no mistake, we are going to need to be at the top of our game to get anything from this one and don’t be fooled by those blinkered people who think that all Burnley play is “hoof ball” irrespective of whether Dyche is there or not. They were excellent against the saints and will be well and truly up for this and Bruno must get our boys fired up to ensure we are competitive. Obviously want a win but a draw may be as good as we get.
Tough game
Without a few key players, Neto and Jimenez misfiring, I can only see one result. Burnley are literally fighting for survival, but then with this team anything is possible.
Neto misfiring? I shall be polite but I don’t really feel like it. The bloke has just had 9 months out after a very serious knee injury and consequent operation and his return has been hindered by a series of niggling injuries which is to be expected. Go and support the Tesco carrier bags.
Yes, I’m well aware of his injury, and it will take a while before he hopefully regains his previous form. Jimenez has not hit the heights of previous seasons, hence my use of the term misfiring. I am a Wolves supporter/fan for over 40 years, so I will also be impolite and tell you wind your neck in and do one !
Yeh. The removal of Dyche seems to have, perversely, given Burnleh a shot in the arm.
It seems ages since we last played!
Me being me, I naturally fear the worst!
Why we should all be Arsenal and Chelsea fans this weekend !
Two weeks of no Wolves action seems surreal as we reach the business end of the season.
That wait will be over tomorrow – 2pm at Turf Moor
One player that won’t be making an appearance is our midfield maestro, Ruben Neves. He is recovering from a medial collateral ligament injury. The good news is he may be fit to play a part in the last couple of games in May.
In the meantime, contract talks continue as Wolves are very keen to keep the 25 year old at Molineux. His contract expires in 2024.
We all know that players at the very top of the football pyramid command ridiculous salaries and fees, but surely a £50k per week salary and £36m transfermarkt valuation are well short of Rubén’s actual worth in this crazy market.
It’s so important that Wolves do everything they can to keep him with us and I’m sure he is due a significant pay increase. However, Neves has also expressed his deep and genuine affection for our club and his view that money isn’t everything. He and is family are very happy in Wolverhampton.
His ambition to play in Europe may also guide the decisions he makes over the coming weeks. With that in mind, we have 6 games left to play.
Turning our attention to this weekend’s games, we really need to beat Burnley. The two remaining teams we are closest to in the table and battling with for 6th and 7th placed are West Ham and Man Utd.
Chelsea, Spurs and Arsenal are too far ahead of us to entertain dreams of Wolves catching them so today at 12.30 I’ll be supporting Arsenal to beat Utd at the Emirates and tomorrow I’ll be keeping an eye on Chelsea v West Ham, hoping for a Blues victory as we take on Burnley.
Then the possibility of European football, be it Europa or Conference, for the second time in 3 years takes another step towards reality.
UTW
Also with potentially Citeh playing Hoverpool in the champion league final on the 25th May 2022 would they be resting players in the remaining premier league matches during May?
Win the premier league or win the champions league?
Opportunity for Wolves against both these teams.
Difficult match but we’ve both something to play for.
Don’t fancy the Carrots without Big Dyche. What can he have done to get sacked from the club he’s single handed kept in the Prem for too many years? We can only speculate, but it must’ve been a trespass of Putin like proportions. Did he invade Rochdale and stick the Mayor’s head on a spike outside the town gates? Or was it some vile perversion involving embrocation, ladies tights and the Under 15’s? Who cares, but its spookily quiet oop North.
Even Shitty hate playing at Turd Moor, but its defo time to have an away day super score drive. Without the Chief Carrot bellowing instructions from the touchline the Burnley will be running about like headless chickens, giving us ample opportunity to bang a few in.
OK things didn’t work out at the Toon. And I don’t want to heep pressure on the lads with an over ambitious prediction this week. So I’m reigning in expectations and returning to form, which at no point this season has proved correct. Unfortunately it looks like Leeds won’t be relegated just yet. Nevermind.
1 lv & COYW.
I really hope we can finish as “Best of the rest!” With West Ham having injuries, and one eye on their European campaign, this is doable, but that makes this a “must win” game bearing in mind we still have the top three to play.
With a bit of luck, and a extreme amount of optimism, we could also finish above Man U. But for starters this is a “must win” game! Lose it and out campaign is all but over.
Agree with the predicted team and hope we have enough to win. Not very confident though! An early goal would settle a lot of nerves, but we shall see!
I think it’s about time for us to gain a good result at Turf Moor despite lacking a few key players. Of course it depends on how we approach this match after an awful attitude in the first half against Newcastle, but, as I’m hoping we tend to rectify poor performances in the following game, I’m expecting a win and choosing to ignore their dominance over us at home of late.
I’ll go for a 2-1 win and a hope of a European place eventually. Apart from the top two no one’s pulling up trees at the business end of the season, so it’s up to the guys to claw back a few points.
Today’s results, hopefully, may give us the desire to show some metal. Here’s wishing for the best…
Hoping for a win but expecting a loss. Burnley are scrapping for their lives and we’re already on the beach.
Tend to agree, ‘no Podence no points’ but live in hope. Fabio in for Trincao as he brings other players into the game. Can’t see Bruno allowing another wet lettuce performance.
Totally agree with Tom’s starting line up with a stronger Jonny defensively in front of the amazing Ait Nouri. Regarding the games against the top few teams, I tend to feel less worried about those games than those against the rest of the league funnily enough. I think we are capable of gaining something from these games barring refereeing and VAR super scrutiny as only experienced for the benefit of the `super group`.
Burnley are a team we never have any real joy against, so its time to change that and beat them for a change. Would only make one change to Thomas’s suggested team Hwang for Trincao, then we should have enough to win.
Raul and the Donk to score
So Burnley beat Southampton !!!!! Everyone is beating Southampton at the moment .
I watched that game and both sides were dire.
The only change to your side Thomas would be to include Fabio as trincoa is just too lightweight for this boxing match .
There’s something I don’t like about Burnley maybe its their nasty supporters who tried to smash my car up many moons ago up there as we sat in a traffic jam after the game they didn’t bank on me having three big lads and some baseball bats in the back they came very unstuck that afternoon.
Lets give them a nice farewell back to the championship where they belong.
You watched a different game to me then Spikey but let’s hope Burnley are dire tomorrow.
We have got to put in a better performance than against Newcastle which was shocking.its about time we beat Burnley 2-1 to the Wolves
As Bruno says we must win to keep euro hopes alive
Playing in the land of giants and they are fighting for survival
Who knows which Wolves team will turn up ?
Should really wait to see how they come off the coach body language against Newcastle was dire
Our current PPG suggests a finish on 58/59 points. Or 3 wins and a draw. For that to happen Burnley really is a ‘must win’. West Ham PPG suggest they finish on 59/60 points. We are due a win a Turf Moor. Even Lawro has us to win 2-0 which is the kiss of death. Mike Dean on VAR also means the entire Wolves squad will be arrested and given 3 match bans because a gust of wind ruffled the Burnley keepers hair. But i am going with Lawro. And a 2-0 win. He has to get one right sooner or later.
With the failings of others if we do ourselves justice in winnable games such as this one top 6 remains a possibility.
Watched their Southampton win which was still based on physicality – if our defence can withstand this surely our skill will win out.
I agree totally with the idea of Jonny at left back and Nelson right. Defensively we should be solid enough barring unforeseen errors but I would give Cundle another game in a midfield three (as against Spurs) and certainly don’t think this is one for Trincao who will very likely be hassled and bullied into obscurity in a game like this. Surely we’ll give Gibbs-White a good go next season and not sell him without even trying it!! The chance of 7th, 6th or even better is there if the lads go for it these last six games.
This will I suspect get somewhat brutal
Are we up for it?
Dunno
Need the BFBelgian at his best and don’t see a role for Trincao
Maybe a chance for Silva to
play the hero late on?
I agree we need some muscle in this one. That’s the area where they always seem to have the upper hand. We might as well play with 10 men as put Trincao in this one.
If it were up to me I would probably have chosen Saiss over Kilman for this Particular game so I don’t see that as a particular loss
Expecting a tough physical battle but one we should be able to win.
New House.
New Town
New, actually non existent, tv service.
Probably no chance of watching the game.
So, as avid readers of this blog, our gallant heroes will be all fired up to get “Five for Clive”
Simples
Hope your move went well Clive. I think I also will struggle to watch the game too as I having difficulty in finding a live stream.
I love it when it is reported that we have not won at this ground or that ground for whatever length of time, as we usually then do the opposite, so:
Welcome to your new home Clive and Marla!
I understand that you will be hosting this year’s Blogger’s Ballbash from your new abode.
Can you give us the post code for our Satnavs?
And flight tickets.
Raul gets a hattrick, Fabio has 1, Hwang got 2 from sub
Strong beer?
Burnley are revitalised in their fight to stay in the Premier.
It’s a draw for me…
Well a least Woods won’t score is customary goal. We’ve never won up there since our Premier League return which doesn’t bowd well.
We also don’t do well against psychical sides I cannot see the likes of Trinco getting stuck into the Burnley midfield I thick one hard tackle and he will disappear from the game.
As ever with key players out our small squad looks even smaller. With two games in hand over Utd who we could over take if we win them the incentive is there but are these Wolves players up for it well when in a similar position at the new year they certainly were not and on that evidence I cannot see them grabbing this chance either I’m sorry to say.
A draw at best Burnley will be up for this knowing a win would take them above Everton who have the daunting prospect of trying to be a out of this world Liverpool.
Heart says win.
Head says lose
Can’t predict a lose, so gotta be up for this after a break and no show at Nookastle!
Got a score draw written all over this one. Hopefully wrong and we get all 3 points, given Manure’s loss today.
If he gets minutes, l think Fabio has got to show us a bit more before his season runs out.
I know he’s young with a big price tag, and he has shown some improvement, but l would like a bit more from him.
Tough game this. They always are against Burnley. Physically demanding, so we need a team to take it and give some back.Therefore, I see no place for Francisco or young Luke Cundle, and we’ll need to keep a tight grip on the midfield.
So, I’d like to see a 3-5-2 line-up. Sa, of course, Boly-Coady-Toti…..Semedo-Donk-Moutinho-Saiss-Jonny……..Jimenez-Hwang. This is assuming Pedro isn’t ready for a full 90.
This gives us plenty of height and a fair amount of grit and determination. Get the attitude right and the rest should fall into place. With Manure losing again today and Wham facing a toughie too, we should be looking to put real pressure on those two and I feel we can do it.
WOLVES 0-1 BURNLEY.
Soccer Saturday devoted about fifteen minutes to Burnley and less than fifteen seconds to Wolves. So firmly back under the radar. We’ve two games in hand to Man U and are five points behind. Given their form no reason why we can’t overhaul them. OK games against the top three to come. But only a very controversial penalty gave Man City a win and Chelsea don’t look unbeatable so maybe just maybe!?
Been a while. Glad to see you’re still with us. Hopefully you are well.
Regards
Can’t stand Burnley… there’s a bloke near where I live that’s from Burnley and hes a proper bell end
Wolves to win
I can’t stand Arsenal or Spurs – there’s a bloke near where I live that comes from London and …..well. you know the rest ….I don’t really like Brentford or Palace either – and as for that QPR. Strangely, somehow Chelski have never seemed like a London club – even back in the sixties, they had so much class, they seemed like a foreign team.
This will be a tricky game to navigate. We’ll go up in the first 20 mins and then concede in the last 5…
I am making the trip to Burnley and hoping we can change the terrible record we have at Turf Moor .If we cannot to be honest we don’t really deserve European football .
All I ask is that they actually go for it no holes barred .That means it is inconceivable to play the wet lettuce that is Trincao .I would say it is the least sensible place to play him .He is weak and against these opponents strength is critical
Got distracted and forgot to post a prediction last time (too much soddin work on) … but nothing lost as I’d have gone for a solid win against Newcastle. If we play like that against a rejuvenated Clarets fighting for survival (and I’ve got some money on Everton going down) then it will be very poor outcome for us. However…
There’s only one reason that I want to be in Europe next season.
And that is that it might be the deciding factor in whether Ruben stays or goes.
Otherwise, I don’t think we have enough numbers to succeed against the cream (or should it be Elmlea?… Certainly not the full fat) of Europe.
Whatever his decision, I want the best for him after his absolute loyalty to the Gold and Black cause over the last few years. Preferably not in the Premier League.
The man’s a legend.
And so is the other man who I hope stays for at least another season.
I’m not going to name him but I understand he loves a Vino.
Burnley are going to be a hard nut to crack tomorrow and, on reflection, I’d be happy enough with a draw.
Plus, I would like the Clarets to pick up some points and consign Everton to the Second Division for a while.
After their fans boasting that they would be top six at the start of the season – and some radio ‘phone ins on 5Live saying that the League title was within their reach – see how they feel as reality kicks in.
With 2 games in hand on Manure, we will be ahead of them if we win both. Let hat sink in! The Burnley match could be a bit of a watershed for us, as we usually disappoint when we’re expected to win. Win this, and I will start believing in Europe again. Lawro has us winning and he usually gets it wrong, so I would rather he tipped us to lose.
Without much confidence I’ve still backed us to win with the bookies, and also a win with BTTS. It’s almost life and death for Burnley and in those situations teams can walk on water. And they are almost a bogey side for us. With some trepidation I’m backing us for a win in the Prediction League too, although it might be a stern test. This will sort the men from the boys, so we need Jimenez up front instead of Silva. Silva will have his opportunities later. 2-1 Wolves.
It can only improve…..
The recent results by the other teams in the 5, 6,7,8 mix make our results against Leeds and Newcastle even more galling, if possible.
But we move on. I think this could be a nasty game (take care those of you who are going) but I’m hoping we sneak it by the single goal.
I’m ambivalent about playing in Europe. I certainly enjoyed the games but I would prefer us to concentrate on building and consolidating the squad EXCEPT the argument set out above that it might tip the balance for holding on to Neves seals it – European football’s a must..
You are absolutely right about the Leeds and Newcastle games .I fear the Leeds game may end up defining our season .
Keeping players and getting players to come makes a European spot vital but also to be honest that season was fantastic .Please bring it on
Can’t believe how Newcastle have snook up right behind us too. I had a tenner with a toon fan in the village they would go down! Bugg&r
.
Burnley are tough to beat – a bit like us. Better at keeping the opposition out than putting the ball in the net. Looks like a 0-0 all day long.
However, as I wrote in my Newcastle prediction – I’m done with predicting us not to score (sorry if this is the cue for a complete drought until the end of the season).
Just moving aside from Burnley game for a bit. I would like to congratulate Sandwell Town on the magnificent achievement of securing second division football for another season. 5th when Steve Bruce took over. 13th now. Jolly good work Mr Bruce.
As my lucky dip from Wolves gave me the White away shirt I’m taking that as a sign that we’ll take the 3 points.
COYW
Not read the other posts yet so apologies if it’s just a repeat of the previous….
Got to win this one or Newcastle will end up above us and in Europe ?
Come on boys!!
Do it for the beautiful badge on your chest!
Well, we’re in a much better position than anyone thought we would be after the Newcastle result. This is a great opportunity; but Burnley have been a thorn in our side for many a year!
They’ve had two good results since a change of manager, so maybe their expectations will be raised now which could help us.
Don’t mess this up Bruno. Go on the attack.
A must win game if we want European Football next season against our all time bogey team, can,t see anything coming out of this one on our present form.
Burnley 2 – 0 Wolves
There have been missed opportunities to hit the top six.
A daft 15 minutes at Arsenal, a bonkers last 10 minutes against Leeds = 6 points thrown away from winning positions.
Man Utd are awful and much as I enjoy their demise, it won’t last. Newcastle and Leicester will be better next season, Villa and Palace might get their act together.
All of the teams above us will strengthen in the summer. ….and we’re going to sell our best player?
Six games left, ManU and Wham to overtake to get European football, is that a stronger motivation than the threat of relegation, reduced wages, job cuts?
Hope the trip to Burnley willed in a Hertfordshire than the long trip to Newcastle. Think Trincao too lightweight for Burnley. Praying for a win to keep our European hopes alive.
Predictive text!! Should read “will end in a better result” – no idea where Hertfordshire came from.
Brilliant!
Just copied this from another site as I found it funny.
NEWS FLASH–The police have just recovered a body from the canal in Brierley Hill The victim apparently drowned due to excess alcohol, He was wearing black fishnet stockings A pink G-string, a strap on dildo, purple lipstick, and a West Bromwich Albion football shirt, He also had a large cucumber inserted into his bum ,The police removed the football shirt to save his family any unnecessary embarrassment
I thought that our European dream was all but gone after the disaster that was Newcastle, but the gods have intervened and shown us that Man.U. Spurs and (hopefully) W’Ham are also very vulnerable. That’s football, I suppose. So we are back in the hunt. We cannot let this chance slip by as we did at Newcastle. A win is an ABSOLUTE MUST !
Going for a 2-1 win.
Win one, lose one. Win one, lose one. Time to…
Although the phrase … ‘what might have been ‘ is used a lot when looking back at some of our failings… Newcastle, Leeds at home , the John Moss blindness at Man City etc….
Well so too the phrase … ‘its meant to be for a reason ‘ also comes to mind … (I’ve been reading too many philosophy books..!)
So with us not losing too much (if any) ground on Wham or Man U then here’s another chance to improve our UEFA spot chances.
Get the proper men in the team against the Burnley thugs and we’ll come away victorious… to celebrate St. George’s day …
Lots of votes on here for 2-1, so I’ll go with the flow.
Who knows which Wolves will turn up?
UTW!
This really is going to come down to who wants it more. Burnley will be targeting this home game for a win and expect them to be fiercely competitive. However, we still have plenty to play for and I really like Thomas’s suggested squad. Think we have the skills to get a result – just hope we have the motivation after the Newcastle flop. Hope for the win, but draw for me.
Not wanting to be overly negative but I can see us getting turned over here. They’re in form, have something to really fight for and we haven’t won here for years. We don’t normally know how to handle Burnley’s unique threat. If we turn up with the attitude we did at Newcastle we’ll get well beaten. All that being said, I’ll back us to dig out a point.
We need to match their physicality all over the pitch so I would play Hwang rather than Trincao . We have a terrible record at Burnley but maybe “today is the day”.
Hoping for a win but my head says that a draw is all we will get.
Yet another opportunity to push for Europe – and we have not done all that well in those games this year.
Pleased to see Raul and Silva together upfront and as Thomas said Samedo and Jonny for wingbacks. This selection has filled me with positivity where i had very little cos Burnley are a bugbear for us. Without Dyche too cos he had our number for sure. He was the only thing i liked about Burnley so lets drive another nail in their Championship bound coffin. 2-0 innit UTW
No Cornet either!
Off to the pub in sunny Can Pastilla (Majorca). I’m sending positive vibes for this match.
Good job the game is this afternoon. They still use candles for floodlights up North don’t they?
Are they taking the piss or what that was utter crap !!!!!!!
And chelsea have just beaten west ham !!!! what the hell is going on we should be in a champions league place not 8th for gods sake.
Bunch of bottlers …! No fucking back bone time and time again flatter to deceive.
And don’t anyone for fucks sake say…..yeah but we’ve still had a good season yeah well it could have been and should have been a brilliant one.
Fosun need to man up now and decide is this what that want year on year or are they going to have the balls to have a real go at the top six. Not holding out any hope they haven’t the bottle either.
How many chance does a team need.
Pissed well and truly off.
Sadly, got what we deserved against an ordinary team. We are so slow and ponderous, it just looks like we have no idea at all how to score.
Look at Chelsea’s goal – picked the ball up in their own half, sprinted into attack, slipped a ball forward to an overlapping runner, hit a first time ball firmly into a dangerous area, had attackers charge in hoping to get on the end of something and put away the chance. We don’t employ any of those elements at all!
European football. Everyone ( well a lot of you anyway) have been hoping for that. Whilst not being negative, we are certainly not ready to compete in that competition. I mean “compete” not just participate, so I am quite pleased that we may not get involved. Other than that failure possibly seeing the likes of Neves leave for a club that can compete, I believe we need to see Fosun inject us with the resources that allow us to drive forward and compete with the likes of Liverpool and Man City on a regular basis. We are far away from performing consistently at that level I am afraid so until we can how an we expect to succeed in European Competition.