Wolves are enjoying one of those seasons where they quietly fly under the radar without much fanfare. There are of course bigger stories in the league concerning teams around them in the chase for Europe with attention focusing on the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, and Tottenham Hotspur. It is only when the neutrals look at the Premier League table, however, that they begin to ask themselves how they’ve managed to miss what is unfolding in the West Midlands.
There is also an element of this blasé attitude towards Wolves’ season in the latest football betting odds with Bruno Lage’s men priced at 17/1 to finish in the top-four despite only being four points off fourth place with two games in hand.
Revealingly, this theme regarding where Wolves may finish is carried on in the most up-to-date free football tips given that they also seem to favour the teams around Wolves in the race for European qualification. In essence, it’s just one of those campaigns where the watching world finds the style of football unremarkable and in some ways, you can understand why.
Wolves have scored 2+ goals in the first half of a Premier League away game for the first time under Bruno Lage:
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 13, 2022
?? 06’ Jiménez
?? 18’ Dendoncker
50% of their first half away goals this term have come in the opening 18 minutes against Spurs. ? pic.twitter.com/bHHfTSraJl
After all, only Norwich and Burnley have scored fewer goals in the league with Wolves finding the back of the net on just 21 occasions. With this in mind, you can say that Wolves haven’t exactly been pulsating in the final third which is why Lage’s charges are perhaps overlooked when any discussion about the top-four is had.
But then again you can’t be within touching distance of the Champions League qualification places and in reality, only a couple of wins away from surging into them if you aren’t doing something exceptional. Indeed, Wolves may well be in the bottom three in terms of goals scored but they are in the top two with regards to having the best defensive records. Only defending champions Manchester City have conceded fewer than Wolves’ 17, with the Cityzens’ defense breached just 14 times after 25 games this season.
In this respect, Wolves are in elite company and you can all of a sudden picture a scenario where Lage’s team end up in of those coveted Champions League positions.
Max Kilman’s game by numbers vs Tottenham:
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 13, 2022
100% ground duels won
100% take-ons completed
87% pass accuracy
9 attempted long balls
6 successful long balls
5 ball recoveries
5 clearances
3 interceptions
2 blocks
1 clean sheet
Crucial to Bruno Lage’s defence. ?? pic.twitter.com/ZazPYfmCnm
This eventuality becomes all the more realistic when you take into account that Wolves play the current top-four before the end of the season. This shouldn’t be looked at with trepidation but rather that the club has their destiny in their own hands as the season winds down towards the business end.
It of course won’t be easy or straightforward and goes without saying that any campaign that ends with Champions League qualification is naturally going to require a bit of luck from time to time, with teams outside of the four sought-after positions in need of a favourable tailwind during the closing weeks of May.
“We cannot be comfortable with the points we have!”
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) February 13, 2022
After a memorable win away at Tottenham, Wolves boss Bruno Lage wants his side to show character to break into the top four!
? @CarrieBrownTV #beINPL #TOTWOL
Watch Now ? https://t.co/hkoevnV6B4 pic.twitter.com/be3N1LzpTV
But the fact of the matter is that Bruno Lage’s men are very credible candidates for a top-four finish and may surprise a few when the official standings after 38 games are revealed. Yes, the football may be somewhat unremarkable from Wolverhampton United, but it is incredibly effective and worthy of European qualification.
