Wolves to take another step toward the Premier League
Wolverhampton Wanderers are on the cusps of automatic promotion back to the Premier League. The Championship's leader will clash with promotion playoff hopeful Derby on Wednesday night.
Wolves are assured a playoff place at the very least, but with the way the team has played, there is little doubt Wanderers will achieve automatic promotion. Currently 11 points ahead of third place Fulham and nine points ahead of Cardiff, Wolves will have to wait a little longer to seal the Championship title. If Fulham draw or lose in midweek to Reading, and Wolves beat Derby, the club will seal automatic promotion.
Since week 15 of the Championship season, Wolverhampton have been in first place. Nuno Espirito Santo's team hasn't looked back, and even when Wolves have suffered a dip in form, it hasn't been prolonged. Santo's team is undefeated in its last five matches. The team came through a major challenge at the weekend as Wolves defeated Cardiff 1-0 in a clash of the Championship's top two. Wolves won the match in dramatic fashion as goalkeeper John Ruddy saved a penalty in injury time and Cardiff missed another. Now, Santo and his side turn their attention toward Derby, a team Wolves pushed aside 2-0 in week 2 of the season.
While Wolves are pushing for automatic promotion and can seal it this week, Derby are struggling to hold on to a promotion place. Derby are just three points ahead of seventh place Millwall. The Rams have won their last two matches, but just before their current back to back wins, the team's form had dipped dramatically. Derby's form since week 31 has seen the club slide down the table and out of the automatic promotion places.
Derby's form has been greatly affected by player health. The club has got some of its players back to full health, but Bradley Johnson, Marcus Olsson and Ikechi Anya will not be able to take part at Molineux. Meanwhile, Santo will have an entirely fit squad for the match.
Although Derby's away defence has allowed the third fewest goals in the Championship (20), Wolves have scored a league high 43 strikes at Molineux. In addition, Wolves' rearguard has allowed just 18 goals from opponents.
Wolves will continue their fight for Premier League promotion with a win on Wednesday night. Derby's in different form from a few weeks ago should return as Wanderers host their rivals.
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