What a pleasant moment.
Top of the Premier League form table over the last 5 matches and back to what used to be our typical perch of 7th in the overall standings.
OK, we’ve squeaked through in a lot of those contests, but we have to be humble enough to recognise our shortcomings and accept that all games will be a battle.
It’s no coincidence we’re winning the battles though and the first half against Everton showed that this Wolves team have it in them to play some smart football.
While we were tiki-taka-ing the ball around I was trying to remember when we last played so well in a game and thought it was probably the 3-0 over Everton under Nuno. It wasn’t quite so convincing by the finish, but this group clearly have the potential to do good things.
We look a more creative, incisive team under Bruno with players prepared to take more risks in possession. That invariably means more mistakes, but those are the chances you have to take if you want to be proactive rather than reactive.
Crystal Palace
One caveat to our success is that we haven’t played any of the current top four yet. Palace on the other hand have played all of them as well as Brighton, Arsenal and Leicester.
That’s a challenging start for Patrick Vieira and his rebuilt team, so to have 12 points on the board is impressive. Between now and Christmas they’ll be thinking they can accumulate points with more favourable fixtures and push up into the top half.
It doesn’t always work that way of course, but they’ve looked good lately and a 2-0 victory at Man City last weekend made everyone pay attention.
They look refreshed with young Conor Gallagher in midfield, a new partnership in central defence and the impressive Odsonne Édouard giving them some bite upfront.
Much like Wolves, they were well organised and tough to play against under Roy Hodgson but Vieira is clearly trying something more progressive. In that sense, we should be in for a much more exciting game than recent visits to Selhurst Park where both teams have been cagey.
The home end
Some comments lifted from the pre-match thread on a popular Crystal Palace forum.
Expectations are that we should get something from this game based on performances to date. We are still only five points above Burnley so really cannot afford a loss!
Historically we’ve never been very good at following up a huge result with a good performance against ‘easier’ opposition. But historically we’ve never done a lot of things we’re doing this season, so who knows? I think it will be a really good game though between two in-form teams. If Ward can dominate Hwang like he did Grealish, and our CBs can keep a lid on Jimenez, I think we’ll definitely score a goal or two, so will get some points.
A difficult game given the way Wolves play. We are proving increasingly that we’re difficult to beat so I expect at least a draw but I think we’ll shade it by the odd goal. We fans will need to be patient, though.
I really hope we can be as effective when faced with teams who come to defend. Not sure that Wolves will, we’ll see. The squad must be really buzzing now however and PV’s tactics improving too. A win with any luck at all.
Likely Wolves XI
Bruno has already shown he’s prepared to change the team on a game by game basis if he wants something different for a particular opponent. Personally though, I’d stick with the same XI.
One of the biggest reasons we’re winning games we were losing last season is that we’ve completely changed the front 3 and they’re more effective.
Trincao needs to produce more by way of direct goal involvements but when we’ve really looked a good side, he’s always been on the pitch and linking up the play between midfield and attack.
I thought Ait-Nouri’s deadball delivery was a major asset too against Everton and it was so pleasing to see Kilman stick that header in. We were limp from set-pieces for much of last season (in both boxes) so it’s another clear area we can make big gains.
It’s worth noting we also have the fourth-best defensive record in the league. OK, we haven’t played the top three, but we were conceding four to Burnley just a few months back so hopefully we continue to limit the opposition.
The odds
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Last time out
We lost out at Selhurst Park last season with Eberechi Eze scoring the only goal of the game. We had a few chances to get level but Palace missed better ones on the break to kill the game.
Earlier in the season, we won comfortably thanks to two first-half goals from Ait-Nouri and Podence. It was probably our best performance of that campaign. We also knocked them out of the FA Cup at Molineux thanks to a great hit from Adama Traore.
Predictions
Well one to Dek, Prawny, Liz, Corbywolf, Gerry D’Arcy, Kiwiwolf, basherbaz, Cannock Wolf, Aquilador, WOLFSTROKER, Wokingham Welsh Wolf, Telford Wolf, Dallas Bob, DeptfordWolf, Mike Jones, Tipton Exile, Woodend wolf, Marney, London wolves loyal and Border Wolf who all correctly predicted the 2-1 scoreline to secure a maximum.
Cannock Wolf leads the way at the top of the overall table at the end of Gameweek 10.
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.
The home draw specialists play the away win specialists. My head says this will be a draw but my inner child says screw my head, we are gonna run amoc again like we did in the first half on Monday and lay bare Palaces false dawn. It’s back to earth with a bang for The Eagles as we smash 3 past them and they can barely lay a glove on us. Bruno has found his most effective eleven so i see no reason to tinker. Lets av it! UTW
Best 30 mins of Wolves play against Everton seen in a long long time
Great to see the Everton players all at sea
Palace appear on the up so tricky game
Tricky one to call.
Our form is . . . . . . variable.
Depends which team turns up.
I too was baffled as to why Adama wasn’t brought on to provide the ideal “out ball” when we were Nader the cosh in the second half against Everton. Let’s hope that he gets on this time at Selhurst.
This won’t be easy and I’m somewhat uncharacteristically going for a 2-2 draw.
Wolves are definitely good to watch these days. That first half on Monday had me purring, metaphorically speaking. Second half not so much, but at least my finger nails were intact.
I don’t see any need to change our starting eleven but that doesn’t mean that Bruno will agree with me. I was as surprised as any that Traore didn’t come on in the second half but maybe he will this time out. I would have thought that he would have a field day against a tiring defence.
Another difficult to predict fixture this for me. Palace are hard to beat, but we are on a nice roll at the moment. Both teams will be full of confidence so hopefully it will be a cracking game.
My concern is that we may be out numbered in middle of the park if we stick with the same line up and Ait-Nori and Semedo push forward too much. Maybe Marcel, if he is fit, might be a better better bet for this one, though it would cost us going forward.
Well, I still have 0 points in the Prediction League so far, which shows how much I know about it. So, I’m going for Palace win and hope my personal poor form continues.
I share your concern Woky regarding midfield- Gallagher looked electric last weekend and his battle with Ruben could be the key to the game’s outcome. Max’s education will continue against Zaha- again this could define the match. I hadn’t realised Palace had had such a tough run of games, happy with a point.
Will the Wolves devour the Eagles? This is a tough call for us and a real marker for our season under Bruno too. If Woy was still in charge at Palace I would go for Wolves. Vieira is a cut above Woy. I still see a tight win, or a draw at least, though.
I back your unchanged team Thomas. If Traore is playing silly buggers with his new contract, and wants to move to Liverpool, keep him on the bench. Who does he think he is, Harry Kane?! Nobody is bigger than the team. And nobody can relax on the sofa either. Bruno is challenging the squad to get out of the comfort zone they seemed to drift into under Nuno. Fingers crossed 2-1.
As he’s a mere novice, I can’t see that Vieira can be deemed a cut above Hodgson who, given a blip here and there, did pretty well over a long career. Can we exploit Viera’s inexperience, Maybe but I’m going for a share of the spoils.
Going to say a wolves win but the second half against Everton has given me doubts . Nice home game for some of us though
Utw
This going to be tough but play the way we did against Everton and another win is on the cards 2-1 to the Wolves.
It would be nice to keep the unbeaten run going and we shouldn’t fear Palace. They’re coming in hot after last weekend but so are we. Raul really looked in the mood against Everton and I think the combination play between our front three has the potential to deliver consistently.
Vieira will have seen what Everton did in the second half so I expect them to be in our faces and pressing the ball. Zaha will cause problems because he always does and they’ve definitely got more cutting edge these days. The smart money is a draw so that’s were I’m putting mine.
The Eagles, once described as a one man team,seems to now be a 2 man outfit with the Chelsea lad on loan playing some good stuff (when seen on the Idiot Lantern in the corner of the room.)
Going to the day job and getting stuff done with a heavy head cold with brief intervals of clarity and purpose for 45 mins is the analogy of the recent performances IMO….
if we’ve shaken off the malaise and the Bruno paracetamol,Night Nurse and Vic Vapour rub have brought the patient back to 80% of its old self the Eagles wings will be clipped ….
Traore to play for me …at least for 45 mins …and the new Bobby Moore to get another
It’s a very special day today in theDOOGooder household.
Twenty two years of marriage to the PMDG’er.
I really don’t know how I’ve put up with her for that long, but she’s obviously doing something right!
We will be cracking open a bottle of special 007 Bollinger tonight to mark the occasion.
Given all that, there are three scores I could predict.
2-2 for the twenty two years of bliss…
…0-0 for the ‘Bingoslang’ two little ducks.
…or 00-7 for the Bolly.
If we start the same eleven and perform as we did in the first half against Everton, we might not quite do a Double O- 7 but we could well come away with three points.
Here’s hoping for a win…
…And another 22 years..
I knew you would all want to see the bottle.
Congratulations to you both mate. Boly with a last-minute header to win it? Boly/Bollinger, get it?!? Can’t believe you missed that one.
… Umm, I didn’t think that Boly would be playing, so I left that one out.
Nope! That doesn’t sound even remotely convincing.
Damn!!
Cheers Thomas.
Awesome, congrats to you both 22 years. Enjoy the fizz.
Cheers Marnhull!
Enjoying it now!
Hic!
Happy Anniversary DOOG and Mrs DOOG…
Lovely couple and I’ll celebrate you with my finest Hennessy XO (ageless) brandy tonight..
Be good…
Best wishes from Lilian and Mike xx
Thank you my Lord and Lady Twix.
Have a happy Hennessy! (or six).
xxxxxx
Congrats to you both & hope you’ve had a great day.
Let’s hope the team top things off with a win tomorrow for you both.
COYW
Thanks Border.
I’ve had a word with Bruno.
It’s all set for a win.
A massive congrats from Jill and I. Hope you had an amazing day.
Ta mate.
Sue was at work for most of it but we have made up for it since she came home.
Heartiest congrats to you both and lets hope our team can make that Bollinger even bubblier(is that actually a word?).
Thanks mate.
Bollinger V bubbly – our team not.
Looks like VAR and a deflection have done us again.
I think the result will depend on which Zaha turns up. For our sake it’s hopefully the lazy inaccurate one!
It’s got all the makings of a great match. If we get a point out of them we’ll be doing well given the torrid time they’ve given other opponents
I’ll take the away draw I think
Still remain skeptics of the Lage bounce. How effective is the tweak in tactics compared to the luxury of having a fully fit and firing Jiminez and our first real Jota replacement in Hwang? Would Lage be able to work similar things given the toothless Fabio or Willian Jose.
I think this one will be tight and I still don’t trust our defence think palace will sneak it.
.
Lady luck has been on our side lately purely because of the style we are now playing
We really are making our own luck and long may it continue.
This could go either way with how both sides are performing so i expect a cracking game and a few goals.
A win would be nice obviously but if we can get a draw that would do and i do see both sides scoring.
fingers crossed.
both teams in form
will go for the usual draw (which means we win)
Great news!
Max Kilman has signed a new long term contract.
I think we can get a brace of goals at Selhurst and we may have to give one away at some point in the game, but heigh ho, if we win who cares?
Obviously a tricky one to predict. Are n’t they all this season? I think Wolves have got enough to win and so do Palace. Hoping for a win but would take a draw
Nervous Nellie here…
No surprise of Zaha wins a penalty
But we might get one too… think we’re due
Would take a point for the unbeaten run
This is one of them games we should be winning if we are to finish in the top six or seven.
They will be as wary of us as we are of them, so I see a low scoring 5-1 victory for us, with Max Headeroom on the score sheet again.
Beating Citeh is a big thing, don’t get me wrong. But Zaha first goal was pure fluke and they caught them on a counter as citeh pushed all 9 outfield players up. It wasn’t convincing but that don’t matter.
They had like 30% possession and defended against a 10man citeh.
It wasn’t exactly form building. It was a tactical plan.
I hope they show themselves as being cocky confident, its inevitable. I can see it being a draw, but we really really should be winning this.
Note to self…don’t keep changing mind at last minute !
Horrible venue, very tricky opponents fresh from a sweet victory at the Etihad.
Viera was a real piece of work as a player and teams grow to reflect their manager at some point. Take a point lads and get out of there.
They say statistics don’t lie! After 10 games we are seventh. However, just saw another statistic! After 10 games, they have averaged the current position of all of the opponents of each individual team, and our opponents average position in the table after 10 games, is 12.7, the highest of all of the clubs! That means on average, Wolves have had the easiest run of opponents of all of the premier league teams! Hhhmmmmnnn. Food for thought!
The Palace game will be interesting. Will the first half Wolves v Everton turn up or will the second half Wolves?
Both teams press high so each team may nullify each other or both get plenty of chances because of it. High scoring win for me!
The secret to tomorrow’s game will be keeping Zaha quiet. If we can shackle him and avoid giving away a dopey penalty we can win this game.
Really need Somedo and Saiss to be on their best behaviour as Zaha goes down quicker than a Horseley Fields prossie when anyone goes near him.
Hwang and Raul are on fire so I’m going for an away win.
First things first…
Action :check referee and VAR official.
Result: referee Graham Scott .. who… VAR : definitely never heard of him…
So I’m of the opinion that this could get niggly and without doubt … out of hand…. Which worries me when Zaha gets sent off for head butting Kilman… as I shudder to think how many we’ll score afterwards.
Why do we always get Sh@t refs I hear… Well the answer there is ‘that we’re not a big six club so let the apprentices out on the Wolves.’
As for the game … it will be a tight affair but I think our current form will just edge it… with goals from HHC and Saiss.
Enjoy the ‘ home’ game Matt .. you’re always a lucky fella…
Lovely… gone from a like to nothing…
Well Bo@@ocks to the disliker….
I like you Lord Twix.
Anyone who drives a Merc is a mate of mine.
Thanks kind Sir…
Remy Martin VSOP drinkers are worshipped by me for sure…x
You’re just a pair of old sots!
Disappointed not to get a ticket as it’s only 30 minutes by overground to their place. Ah well.
Think it could be a draw but going with my trusty, prediction league points winning score of 2-1 to us.
Always a strange place to go Croydon FC. (couldn’t get a ticket again!! Where were all the away fans pre Prem… Moan over)
I agree with other posters, under Woy, would see us scraping through. PV does seem to have created a different mindset. They may relax a bit, after last week. If we play for 90 odd minutes, like we did against the Toffees, think we may just sneak it.
Has the potential for a free flowing game after a hesitant start for both sides.
I’ll stick my neck out and go for a win by one goal and not the draw that it’ll probably end up. That said, I’d take a point now if it was on offer.
Off to Aberystwyth tomorrow. Last time I was there we beat Bournemouth 2.1 and moved up to 5th, so it’s got to be…
Head says 1-1, heart says 2-1 to Wolves so as always I’ll follow my heart
Always a great feeling when a good player signs a contract. However, Max Kilman deserves his new contract more than most.
Congratulations Max ! A brilliant day for Wolves, supporters and you.
UTW
Lets keep the good run going.
So pleased to see Ait Nourri over Marcal, and when Jonny comes back Marcal can be sold on.
Confident we can do one over the Palace.
Need to see Trincao find the back of the net that 2nd half miss against Everton was really bad.
My only criticism of Lage thus far lies in his inability to make substitutions when it is clear players are looking tired and we need fresh legs.
What have you got against Marcal? He’s actually a pretty good defender but maybe not so good going forward. Just the sort of backup defender we need, in my opinion, and don’t forget he can play at centre back aswell and that might be important when the African Nations League comes around.
Agree with your team
It’s all set up for a draw despite Vieira
Think it’s going to be a goal fest – well I hope so, as I’m at the game. Both teams won’t spare the horses, but can’t split them. UTW!
Tough game this. When Vieira came in following a long period of stability it had all the hallmarks of a team heading for relegation but Palace look energised and exciting. Will take a draw.
Due a loss but I’m going for a 2-1 win.
I think we’ll win.
A day out in Penge. Class. Be good to go on a rampage and upset a Cocky Viera. Good luck with Zaha. Hwang + Jimmy = smash and grab. 1 lv.
It’s Bonfire Night and the only sensible outcome will be a massive fucking rocket up Patrick Vieira’s arse. As much as a legend that he is from his Arsenal days he will not be able to resist the incoming tide of Wulfrunian pressure. The Palace might as well be a friggin dungeon such will be the unhappiness of the Palace squad . Desperate to escape the rampaging Wolf will only ensure more misery. Such is the dominance it can only end up with one thing: CPFC 0 WWFC 2. After the game Patrick Viera said ” My old French grannie once said ” Be careful of the Wolf. It will eat you”. Bruno Lage said ” I couldn’t give a shit about Patrick Vieira’s granny. My own gran has gone bonkers and goes around talking to Oak Trees” . CPFC 0 WWFC 2.
I had forecast us to beat Everton 3-1 but, like the lads, was robbed by VAR. This has prompted me to go for the same thing again. It would still be alright if the same thing happens again. As Rabbie Burns would have said if the Prem had been around when he was – “A win’s a win for a’ tha”.
COYW
Surely you are not talking about that offside? Hwang was miles offside compared to Pedro’s toe nail at Anfield.
Clearly I didn’t manage to get the tongue-in-cheek aspect of my comment across!! I do agree that the goal was quite rightly chalked off. I know that responses to VAR take in a wide range, but for me it’s a classic case of ‘just because you CAN do something with the latest technology, it doesn’t mean you OUGHT to do it. The goal line system is excellent. Technology is used to give an authoritative answer, something human officials can never do. My problem with the whole VAR system, including when it is applied, is that it does not remove the human element. I would rather see an official make a decision based on what he sees on the pitch at the time than try to make sense of the several angles he’ll be presented with at ultra slow motion when very often opinions are divided – on MOTD for example, one pundit says penalty the other says not. VAR does not solve this, it just changes the way in which human fallibility is applied.
But what do I know. Thanks for the comment and enjoy the match however you are watching it.
COYW
Congratulations Mr & Mrs DOOG.
Would like to see us nicking this one but they are showing good form so 1 – 1 for me
Wolves squeak by with a hard fought victory.
KA/TNs
Well for no other reason than: 1. Palace are clearly improving and 2. We haven’t lost for a while…
It was great to see the return of Bruno ball in the first half against Everton and although it got nervy in the second half we ran out worthy winners. On to Palace now how look a different outfit under Vieria, both teams will fancy their chances today so that means a draw
Goals galore at selhurst Park today. Saiss and hwang with our goals
Tough one to call.
Two all seems to be the most popular prediction on here, so I’ll go for that too.
COMBs!
Play like the first half last Monday for the whole 90mins no problem, a win is nailed on.
Play any other way and we probably loose.
Going for the 1st option
Having a beer tonight with a palace season ticket holder…
Thought I had a ticket for the game but been let down so not happy ?
Got a bag of salt, hoping to rub it in later but hoping I’m not going to end up eating my words..
Palace are a side in transition as are we so goals will flow
For the last few years, whenever we ply CP, I always say the same thing. If we are to do well, much depends of how much we let Zaha play. I hope Kilman can play another starring role.
I too have been impressed by the dead ball delivery of Ait Nouri. Maybe we can let him have a go at the free kicks.
I’m going to try one more time for a 1-0 win.
Hoping for a repeat of the first half against Everton, but for the whole match this time, I think we will need it to edge out an in-form team 2-1. (Everything crossed as usual!)
All the locals taking a real liking to my match day attire. These International breaks are so tiresome. The mighty Wolves to strike again.
Great picture Witley …. Hope you’re enjoying yourself…
There did seem one thing missing though … ah yes … a few beers in line….
Best wishes
Where am ya, Witters?
Barbados, and I won’t miss a home game, its called planing Clive. The beers crap but the Pinacaladas are brill. Hope all good with you, have a goodun
Palace have been getting results all season and ten games in have lost very few. The atmosphere at Selhurst, they say, is electric and drives the team on in home games. They beat Citeh away in their last game so will be brimful of confidence going into this one.
So our heroes seem to have the odds stacked against them going into this.
However, on results, we are the form team in the league so will not be lacking in confidence ourselves. Many of our best performances have come away from the Mol so our boys aren’t phased by a hostile atmosphere. Citeh were down to ten and Palace’s win was something of a smash and grab. Nonetheless creditable though.
It’ll be tough to take all three, but if, if, we can do it, it’ll speak volumes about our ability to stay in our current lofty position as the fixtures get tougher in the coming weeks.
Like the team, my confidence is quite high we can achieve the win.
Happy with a point, but I’ll go for a win.
As a 14 yr old, I went to Selhurst Park. Where they stupidly had loo rolls, pinched them, made it to the top of the stand, and threw them down, making a 50 foot streamer. And we won, against Terry Venables team, and if I remember, a certain John Burridge in goal
Everyone sees lots of goals in this, therefore…
I can’t believe it but I’m going with Lawro. We’ve been lucky at Palace recently.
I used to live up the road at Sydenham for a couple of years so have a soft spot for ’em.
Dan
I was expecting the same team, and it’s just been confirmed.
This will be a tough game, with Palace in great form. Just the type of game we like/need. The bookies make Palace favourites, but I’m going for a Wolves win.
On the front foot from the off. Hoping to see Jimenez and Hwang link up for the goals.
Can’t see anything other than a 3-2
Neves -semedo- jimmy
Come on you wolves
Bit late but live in hope
Traore on for the second half please Bruno
Bugger!!!
Not the loss, disappointing as it is, but I’m guessing PaulAD67 will be back now?
Turning off MOTD tonight Traore should of started ..over confident
Have. It’s “have” not “of”.
Feking publicans lol