Wolverhampton Wanderers aim for second straight win

Wolverhampton Wanderers clash with Sheffield United in the Championship's marquee match on Saturday. Wolves come into the fixture undefeated in five of their last six matches and beat Ipswich Town, 1-0, a week ago.

Sheffield United lost ground in their promotion push with a 1-0 loss to top six rivals Aston Villa last weekend, and the Blades desperately need a win to keep pace with the rest of the promotion playoff hopefuls.

Wolverhampton go into the fixture with the best home record in the Championship. The black and old gold have secured 32 of 42 possible points at Molineux. It is a span that has seen Wolves give up just 12 goals and Nuno Espirito Santo's team is +16 in goal differential.

Wolves striker Leo Bonatini hasn't scored in 11 games in all competitions. He still leads the team with 12 goals, but Wolves management has realised the club need help. Bonatini has looked tired and the fixture congestion is catching up with him. Wolves signed Rafa Mir from Valencia on a permanent deal in early January. He hasn't hit the ground running just yet, so the club added Bournemouth striker Benfik Afobe on loan. Afobe returns to Wolves where he tallied 23 goals in 48 games previously. Afobe should hit the back of the next at least a half dozen times before the season is over, if given ample playing time.

Santo doesn't make many changes to his starting XI. He has found a winning formula, and for the most part, has stuck with the same players from match to match. It is likely Afobe will be used as a second half substitute rather than from the start.

Sheffield United defeated Wolves in the teams' previous meeting, but the Blades are winless in their last five matches at Molineux. Chris Wilder's team has won just twice on the road in their last six. Based on current form, Sheffield United lie 12th in the 24-team league. When the teams met earlier this term, Sheffield United were in second place. Consistency has plagued the side, despite Leon Clarke's league leading 15 goals.

Sheffield United have had difficulty beating teams in the top six this term. The team has lost or drawn six times against the six clubs currently in front of them in the promotion places. Although Sheffield United defeated Wolverhampton earlier this term, the Blades were aided by a 15th minute red card that completely changed the complexion of the fixture. Clarke went on to score twice to secure all three points.

Barring a game changing red card in the opening quarter of an hour, Wolves should come out firing on all cylinders. The return of Afobe and his addition to a strong side makes Wolves even more dangerous. Wolverhampton should continue their run to promotion, and Sheffield United could drop five points off the pace for the last promotion place in the Championship.