Our results away from England’s recently announced host stadium have been phenomenal this season.
7 wins from 12 matches with 23 points accumulated means we have the 4th best away record in the Premier League (just a single point behind Chelsea too).
At Molineux, we’ve been distinctly average with 4 wins from 11 matches and 14 points contributed to the overall tally. That’s good enough for 14th.
Leicester, Palace, Leeds, Villa, Man City, Brighton, Watford and Norwich are the remaining home games and six of those sides have poor away records, so on paper at least, there’s an opportunity for improvement.
First up is an underperforming Leicester on Sunday.
Leicester
The Foxes are enduring the season we had last time. They’ve lost their talisman for a good chunk of the campaign, suffered a host of other injury setbacks and seen confidence in their previously revered head coach dwindle.
Defensively, they’ve been atrocious, conceding 41 goals already. Only 4 teams have let in more. In mitigation, Jonny Evans and Wesley Fofana would probably have been their preferred centre-back pairing but both have sat out most of the campaign and Turkish international Ça?lar Söyüncü has struggled for form in their absence.
An ability to score goals has propped them up and only the top 5 teams in the table have netted more than their 36. Even without Jamie Vardy, the likes of Daka, Maddison, Tielemans, Barnes and Iheanacho are all capable.
They spanked four in last night in their Europa Conference League first leg tie, but are yet to win in the Premier League in 2022 and haven’t kept a single cleansheet away from the King Power in the league all season. That’s some stat.
It was heartbreak last time out with West Ham scoring a set-piece equaliser with the last kick of the game to deny Brendan Rodgers a much-needed victory.
The away end
Some comments lifted from the pre-match thread on a popular Leicester forum.
This will be a difficult away fixture. It seemed a lifetime ago that we beat them at the KP – and kept a (since rare) clean sheet! And even then, they ran us ragged (particularly in the second half) and with better finishing could have walked away with something from that game. The bad news is that since then they have gotten better – and that they won’t have Adama Traore, as we could use a few of his awful misses, after he rips through our defence! Two ships passing each other through the night, one headed towards Europe and the other….well.
A point would be a good result here, lets just limp to 35 points and stay in the league.
I think Brendan will match them up: Kasper, Ricardo, Amartey, Ndidi, Vestergaard, Thomas (Albrighton if injured), Tielemans, KDH, Maddison, Daka, Barnes
Can we have a clean sheet, please?
Wolves
343 or 352, that’s the question. On the basis we’ve been defensively sound in both shapes, I think you have to play the extra attacker against a Leicester side that can’t defend.
I have no idea if Moutinho is fit, but I’d still be starting him despite the considerable efforts of Dendoncker and Cundle at Spurs last week. Just because it’s a different challenge at home when there’s greater onus on Wolves to make the running.
We’ve been saying it for weeks now, but it’s about time Podence and Trincao came to the party with a few goals. Podence still infuriates me in many aspects of his performance but got into great positions against Spurs and was unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet.
Hwang is another option from the bench if they’re not doing the business and of course, as always, we’ll hope that Raul can hit his stride again after getting back amongst the goals last weekend. Leicester are one of just three teams in the Premier League he’s yet to score against in any competition.
Last time out
As the Leicester fan above points out, we were unfortunate to leave the King Power with a defeat on the opening weekend of the season. Jamie Vardy got across our centre-halves to score a smart goal but we missed a host of glaring opportunities either side of that to take something from the game.
It was a stalemate at Molineux last season, which suited us down to the ground. We were scratching out the results by then, just trying to limp to the finish line.
Predictions
Well done to oldandwise, pauluswolf, spikeyboy and Jazzwolf54 for all getting a maximum by correctly predicting a 2-0 win against Spurs.
AveburyWolf leads the way at the top of the overall table at the end of Gameweek 23.
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.
They score a lot of goals but concede even more. We don’t score many but rarely concede. In these situations it’s normally the more organised team that come out on top.
I will back us to get the win on that basis and hope we can find the spaces that are so clearly there while restricting their attacking intentions.
If we’re realistically looking to challenge the top six I think we need minimum four points from the next three matches and this is the best opportunity for a maximum.
.
Looking for another comfortable win and a real push for Europe.
It is about time we got a win against Leicester .We have had several VAR decisions against us in this fixture ( Kidman handball which was plainly wrong ,Boly winner through an offside toe and Dedonker’s winner at Leicester ) so I am extra keen to win this .
Given the two tough away games to come a win here would set us up well for those so here’s hoping .
Hopefully play the same way we did against spurs and take are chances and a win 2-1to the Wolves . Keeps the confidence high for the grudge match with Arsenal.
Don’t score many but don’t let many in.
Sounds like a single goal victory to me.
Me too Graham. I got my comeuppance last week when predicting that we’d struggle to score at Tottenham.
I still fear that we don’t score freely enough, but we are super-strong defensively so I’m going for a 1-0 win myself.
They may be struggling this season but Leicester are still blessed with a squad replete with players who can hurt you. We need to take the chances they give us as for sure they’ll take the ones we give them.
However, we do, of late, seem to have rediscovered the art of actually sticking the thing in the onion bag. Largely, this has come from actually getting men into the areas where the action is and we need the courage to commit to the cause.
The team seem to have the bit between their teeth now though and, with the call of Europe ringing loudly in their ears, I expect them to rip into Reynard and despatch him without mercy.
Interesting fixture. On form we should cruise it. But it’s a match up between one of the most prolifics attacks in the League and one of the meanest defenses at one end of the pitch; and one of the leakiest defenses against one of the most wasteful attacks at the other.
On balance I think I back our defence to do the job at their end of the pitch. And we’ve shown more ruthlessness in recent games, so as long as we can take at least one of the chances we will inevitably get at the other, then it should go to form.
I think storm Daniel will see theses off
As good as moutinho has been this season, playing cundle in home games may actually benefit us as I think we may well move the ball more quickly. Against arsenal and Norwich I thought we were a bit pedestrian at times. Having said that moutinho is top drawer and so quality will always be missed.
I really don’t like play these… made worse by Vardy (cannot stand him) and his wolf howl. I think its about time we gave these a drumming! They are a weakened side and we are taking strides to becoming better and better week in week out – with the return of players we are looking strong.
I think now, if we concede goals going forward, the system is so well oiled that it is always counting as a individual error leading to the goal. I dont think these have it in them to press us to those errors. comfy game!
***** ON A SIDE NOTE, I HAVE MY TICKET TO THE EVERTON WOLVES GAME, I AM IN THE HOME SECTION BY THE AWAY STANDS, IF YOU SEE A WOLVES TOP AMONGST THE BLUE, ITS ME – GIVE ME A WAVE – hahahah*****
If we want to be real contenders for Europe this is a game we must win. Leicester are a wounded team with injuries but underestimate them at your peril. Notwithstanding, we should have enough to win once we create a few chances and no mistakes from the back.
Remember, however we are currently a real threat to the established big six and London boys, so look for VAR decisions to go against us once the opportunity arises. There lies the reason why we are consistently near the bottom of the VAR table, every year!!
I think Podence really is overdue for a goal, having hit the post on a couple of occasions and brought out a couple of good saves from our opponents’ keepers! Maybe this game.
A winnable game but we have produce a top performance for it to happen.
Our home troubles may mean having to settle for a point, unfortunately. Fingers crossed I’m wildly wrong.
I actually thinking that this is the toughest of the next three games.
We will sort the arse and irons out no sweat for 4-6 points, but Leicester will sit in for long periods and hope to hit us on the break and we may struggle to break them down!
Win Sunday though and man City put a handful past spurs and as delboy wound say,,,”the worlds are lobster “
What a week we have in store!
Come on you wolves
Diogo’s hat trick keeps randomly popping up on my facebook page, and even tho’ he’s gone, it still sends a tingle down the old spine to watch us score some fabbo goals.
If that little bit of breezy weather you lot over there are wimping about dissipates, and the game goes ahead, then a repeat of the excitement, but not the score, is on the card table.
We owe someone, and this team in particular, a right royal thumping, which would:
a) help right some of the terrible recent decisions in past fixtures between us, and
b) scare the snot out of our next couple of opponents.
Plus the look on Brenda’s face next week as he gets fired will be priceless!
Carry on as we are and three well earned points in the bag.
Simples.
Should be a good game . Spoke to Don Godman at the golf club yesterday and he reckons the next three games will define whether or not we will make into Europe or even the top four . I tend to agree with him.
A win against the Foxes is a must . The get revenge over the time wasting Gunners and our march to Europe will be very much secured.
By the way I may have a spare ticket for this Sunday. Will post later on should anyone be interested
COYW
I have a liking for Leicester and admire what they’ve achieved in recent years.
That said I won’t like them very much on Sunday.
You leave a player of Moutinho’s quality out at your peril. Other than that I’d say it’s as you were.
If only it were that simple.
The absence of Vardy’s big toe however, should tip the balance in our favour. Brenda has got to be worried, following our 20 minute demolition of the Spuds, that his Foxes will be on the run from the off.
1 lv & COYW
In fact, they will be so on the run, they’ll be calling in the Hunt Sabs for assistance.
I had an outing with aforementioned org, Sheffield Branch. It kicked off, and I was chased across a number of fields by red jacketed Toffs on horseback. Rescued in the nick of time by the minibus. I was told not to attend future meetings as I was now a ‘marked man’.
I’m not a big Country & Western fan, but these lyrics have stayed in my head, though the name of the source is gone.
‘She walked through the corn, leading down to the river,
Her hair shone like gold in the hot morning sun,
She took all the love that a poor boy could give her,
And left me to die like a fox on the run.’
1 lv.
Fox on the Run
The Sweet
But you can’t put your willy where willy won’t go.
Or something like that.
Anyway it was a “Blockbuster”
Tho I don’t remember The Sweet being a C&W band. 1 lv
It was a song by Manfred Mann of the same name. Do you people not know how to use Google?
Tom T. Hall did it as well. According to Google.
What’s Google?
They wont score .
So that’s it then all we have to do IS score .
The omens are good very good home advantage will now start to show at last .
Consistency is the the name of our game and with the best coach in the premier league on the sidelines to steer his wolves in the right direction there is no doubt to the outcome .
And still top players to return.
I have washing machine stomach curdling with delight.
100%WIN
If we can beat Spurs 2-0 at their stadium, I cannot see a problem getting the same score at home to Leicester. I would be quite happy with a 3-5-2 starter, then switch to a 3-4-3 mid-second half. Would love to see Podence and Hwang helping Raul up front. Two late goals for us in the last 20 mins will do us fine.
The problem is that Spurs was away and they tried to take the game to us which left us to ruthlessly exploit the spaces with a little help from Lloris while this is at home and they will sit in with a keeper in better form between the sticks. Teams sitting in at Molineux and our struggles to break them down is principally why our away form is currently superior.
The next three PL matches will sort the men from the boys regarding the road to Europe. Leicester, Arsenal and West Ham will be a touch trio. Points for us will damage the other teams as well. If we get though these February fixtures with 6 points or more we will have thrown down a serious stake for Europe.
37 points from 23 games so far indicates a possible finish to the season on 61 points. But, due to our improving form (and key players returning from injury) I reckon we could finish north of 65 points. That gets you 4th place sometimes. Trouble is, the top 3 is done and dusted. 4th is up for grabs, but our 3 rivals are obvious. For us, 4th to 6th is a legitimate target, if we navigate February successfully… We need to hold our nerve.
Let’s roll up our sleeves and out-fox the Foxes. We owe them one. 2-0.
Which one of Hammers, Arse, Manure and Spurs isn’t an obvious rival Dances?
Good question Ped Ant. I had mentally dropped Man U from contention, but a week is a long time in football, as well as politics. Man U are in the mix too. Tough one.
3 points from last 2 (should have been 4)
Leicester are rocking a bit will take a draw but think we might sneak a win
Saw someone say that Mosquera and Neto could be in the squad
If so let’s lay the table for the next few games and rip into the foxes
More than one newspaper has us on for 6 th place at end of season
With reinforcements in place and confidence high the next couple of months could/ should be fun
Please dog let me be right
Bruno has stated that he now has a fully fit squad but that doesn’t mean that Neto will be risked just yet. A 10 minute cameo with us leading 3-0 might be nice though.
I agree with Thomas on the starting eleven if Moutinho is fit but would be quite happy to start young Cundle if not.
And it’s great news that Pedro Neto, Willy Boly and Yerson Mosquera are back in full training.
I can’t wait to see Pedro back, ripping a few premier League defences apart. Then, maybe, we can all finally feel better about Adama going.
As for Sunday against Leicester. We MUST get at them from the first whistle.
We should be brimming with confidence after walloping Spurs.
We’re ravening Wolves and Leicester are wounded foxes.
Let’s pay them back for the jammy points they’ve stolen from us over the years.
Come on you Wolves!
Even an out of form Leicester provide a threat so a good result on Sunday is not a given. But I hope and believe on current form Wolves can do it.
As some of you may recall I’m giving up on predicting.
I’m looking forward to this match. Hoping for a convincing win.
Would be nice to get a routine win at home. But with goals difficult to come by I think we’ll struggle especially if Leicester get a goal early.
Living in South East London i rarely meet anyone from the Midlands but a mate has married a girl from Queniborough and we’ve recently been quite vociferous towards each other.
So Sunday is an opportunity to be the top dog .
Wolves are imo going to stuff the ‘ster
I live in SE London (Deptford, obvs) but I count Wolverhampton as my home town. I’ve lived in London for over half a century!
I was born there and moved away when I was 4 in 1969 Deptford.
Every time I go back I feel like I’m home even though I was so young when we left.
Born in wrens nest Road.moved to New Eltham first .Then to Sidcup, thamesmead and now in Erith. My son in law is from Deptford and supports West Ham.?don’t know what happened there ?
Personaly I thought the spurs result owed a lot to luck. And now we are getting the plaudits I fancy us less. Expect Barnes and Tiliemans to have us on toast.
Putting us on toast won’t be easy though from inside of kilman s pocket.
Utw
Haven’t conceded 3 all season. And a Leicester team missing 7 of there starting 11…. are you actually a wolves fan?
Agree with selected as spurs but with moutinho starting if fit. Also happy with Cundle if not. Just hope we are not overconfident and go out and play our best. Goals from Raul, Neves and Pondence.
Wolves 28 Leicester 0
Who’s scoring then Cheesey? Or, more to the point, who isn’t?
Jamie Vardy will unfortunately score 28 own goals . 17 of them will rebound in to his own net as he runs around pretending to be a wolf and the ball hits his arse and goes in the net. The other 11 will be as a result of his mrs and her spat with mrs Rooney resulting in so much tension that it will manifest itself in Vardy who will have a mental breakdown and shoot to his own net 11 times. And that’s about it.
How can you be so sure?
Henrietta the psychic slug told me.
Not only psychic. Very long lived too. For a slug, I mean.
Cheester
How ridiculous!
To say Leicester won’t score one ,for me is unbelievable ?
In 1914 we beat them (Leicester Fosse back then) 7-0, in the 1923 they beat us 7-0, both in Div 2.
In 1938 we beat them 10-1 at home in Div 1.
We’re due a 28 goal stroll.
Bizarre one, we have had some humdingers against Leicester. Plus some dodgy decisions against.. Vardy is a tosspots, especially the wolf howl in front of us at their place, so we owe them. 3 points here, revenge against the gooners will set us up nicely.
Been a while since the last no score draw. Hopefully i’m wrong!
So if we get champions league football, and Barcelona don’t,
Do we take adama back??
Hope not.
Got another assist in his 2nd game for a vital extra time equaliser. His price is going up. 1 lv.
He won the pen in the Europa game too.
One of my daughters lives in Leicester. My Grandson likes Barcelona. Never mind, I’ll change him as he gets older
What will you change him for mate, a replica Wolves shirt?
We will out Fox them no problem. My only problem, is it three nil or thee one?
I always expect disappointed against Leicester, but they are not the side they were. And Wolves have got a bit more ruthless. So..
Hopefully we can get another win here and move on to our revenge game at Arsenal which thankfully has come round quickly
Leicester defence has been woeful with the injuries they have had so fingers crossed we can take advantage
We are not a Randers either
A treat for the home crowd.
Never an easy one to predict but if we are to achieve the lofty heights of the top six we need to win these games.
Wolves to win 2 – 0
Spurs should have been the thumping we have been promising for a while could this Leicester defence be porous enough for it
Peter Walton was the ref on Saturday 25th Oct, a bright Autumn day and a capacity crowd at the Mol.
In a crazy first half we found ourselves dead and buried by two Les Ferdinand headed goals on 11 and 15 minutes ( assists by Muzzy Izzit, one of my favourite names ever ) and a 34th minute Scimeca shot along the ground from just outside the box, assisted by, yes Les Ferdinand; The Fantastic Mr Fox.
3-0 down at half time, at home. Dead and buried. Even Dave Jones couldn’t have predicted what would happen in the second half.
Then came the most remarkable fight back and what Autumnal Saturday afternoons were created for. Wolves came out a different beast. Fighting, closing, angry. A Colin Cameron brace, the first a smart finish from a Nathan Blake cut back, the second a penalty on 59 minutes;?Keith Gillespie, inexplicably handballs when he puts his right arm up when challenging Jody Craddock in the box. Wolves now definitely on the front foot. 3-2. Game on.
Alex Rae heads back across the goal on ‘67 from a fabulous Denis Irwin cross from the right. The Foxes keeper, Walker, no chance and now we have parity. Leicester we’re on the ropes. Panic in their faces.
Then with just 5 minutes to go up popped the Golden booted and then talismanic striker, Henri Camara, with a scrappy goal, and the most improbable of fight backs was completed. 4-3 to the mighty Wolves. The Foxes were shattered. Absolute scenes.
So, tomorrow, it may not be a fight back of the decade goalfest, but we are favourites, we are on the up and Leicester on a slippery slope. We are in need of a continued good run to keep pushing our claim for a European spot. We owe the Foxes for Vardy’s wolf howl.
We are going to win by the odd goal and keep a clean sheet this time around.
UTW
That day lives long in my memory too
A now sadly departed golf pal bought tickets in the new South Bank Extension stand (we were both playing golf so badly at the time it was deemed a far superior route to an enjoyable day than a good walk ruined)
Having drunk each other under the carpet in the Chapel Ash hosteleries we were both bemused by the 0-3 score line at 3.45 …. In fact John was convinced it was his fault bringing his current curse of luck to the Mol ….up he got and pronounced to all around he’d better leave and went back to the Combermere ….what a second half!!!
No repeats tomorrow please
And the same score in Jan 2019 mate.
https://tv.wolves.co.uk/player?feedId=81e4f698-9dbf-4e6f-b6a1-18963bf6539b§ionId=eaeaef9e-c1ae-4ae5-8baa-320a22e88587&entryId=0_t2e34d79
Christ, I feel confident and when ever I predict a win it goes tits up.
Things have to change.
Spurs were poor but so are the Foxes of late.
I’m sticking my neck out for a win á la Tottenham… 2-0 again.
Despite the season they’re having Leicester are still a dangerous team. They have struggled here in recent years though so hoping that continues. This fixture generally ends 4-3 or 0-0! Reckon it will be something in between tomorrow.
I might predict a postponement. Just take a look at the weather forecast!
If as is being claimed we at last have a full squad to pick from Bruno has my sympathy tomorrow. We should finally be able to give Leicester the beating they deserve for the times they have beaten us by many dubious means. Hope Bruno really puts one over Brenda, let him keep moaning.
Seriously I expect the lads to keep up the good work and win without too much trouble.
We haven’t beaten Leicester in the last five outings but storm Eunice has brought the winds of change and we’re gonna blow them away 2 nil, taking their crown as everyones favourite underdog in the process and continuing our upward trajectory.
I’m starting to get vertigo……
and we have a fully fit squad to boot!
With that crazy 2003 victory in mind, I’m going back to the future – UTW!
Coz we can improve again after Spurs ?
I think we can win this. Only downside is that the media will be talking about us, and showing their ignorance (do your homework).
Upside, Wet Sham could only draw v Newcastle at the ground where I’m a part-owner (Londo council taxpayer).
I’m going to be positive and go for a 3-1 win as we are owed a little at the Molineux this season. Nice to see some of the lads back getting sorted hopefully for next season. I hope Neto can get a few minutes on the pitch as he will be really rusty after a long lay off. We have missed him but, at least, it’s kept the vultures at bay.
DRAW 1-1
Leicester shouldn’t be underestimated as they’ve got some decent players…. but with Vardy missing (he’s still wondering whether wag-gate will ruin him even though his missus is chucking money at Colleen Rooney’s claim) … and Soyunchu? playing like a donkey .. there’s only Schmeichal left to offer any resistance… and he’s the goalie…
So it’s shots in for much of the game … still one goal will be all that’s needed…. Neves with a Neves goal…,
It’s not gonna be easy, but if we keep it tight and keep it on the floor we can win this.Leicester are a good side but this term they have leaked goals and they have scored a few.
IMO, it’s gonna be a tough tight game and hard to call. If we win and spurms and Arse-ends lose and we win,we could go 6th.
Come on me babbies.
Nah the Arse-lickers are winning, we must win tomorrow.
Wolves Ay we.
Am I so superstitious that I think predicting a draw will result in a win?
It’s worked a few times including last week. Come on Wolves, no excuses.
MGW scored 2 and got 1 assist in Shef U 4-0 demolition of Swansea. Looking forward to seeing him back here next year.
They might not be promoted! Just jesting.
This afternoons results have certainly turned the heat up on tomorrow’s game .
Hmm, could we do it again?
https://fb.watch/bh0fGit1C1/
This is a crucial game now; especially after the Spurs win tonight.
I hope we can carry the performance from last Sunday into this game. I want us to really go for it, from the off, and get a lead in the first half.
At the moment, I think we are more effective when playing away and there is greater onus on the other team to take the initiative. We owe Leicester one, after the away fixture. We did not deserve to lose that game.
I hope Moutinho is fit enough to play and it would be great to see Neto at some time during the game.
I think you are correct there robc306. Home record w 4 d 2 l 5 points 14. Away w 7 d 2 l 3 points 23. Only 8 goals scored in 11 home games. 3 of them v Saints. So although i am going for 28-0 i reckon it could be a close cagey affair. It usually is v Leicester. As a blogger said earlier either 4/3 or 0/0. And of course we are owed a few VAR calls v these. Pay back time !
Need a win to keep pace with Spurs, Arse and Manu.
And we owe them.
On the grounds from last week that if I predict a draw they prove me wrong & win, I’m doing the same again.
It worked v Spurs!
COYW
After the confidence boosting result against spuds and the good news on the injury front I reckon we will stroll this one.
Another win keeps the pressure on those above. Let’s hope they can do it. Podence to score!
Still think this Leicester team have numerous threats but they do seem to be conceding poor goals. Always weary of playing an out of form team though
Nice to see a full squad and lots of options for Bruno….Anyone got a terrace song along the lines of “We don’t talk about Bruno”?
It will be good to see the likes of Neto and Jonny on the bench, but it will take some time for them to get back on song.
I remember well the last time Wolves beat Leicester, a fabulous 4-3 win at Molineux on 19 January 2019…..my birthday. High time for another victory.
No easy games in the PL- yesterday’s results were a sure sign that an upset is possible anywhere. The worsening weather conditions should suit a well organised defence( us) but Leicester have no problem scoring goals. Tight affair with us coming out on top.
Semedo again ,gives the ball away everytime .why dies he keep playing him ?