A Buoyant Wolves Host Crystal Palace

One of the many fixtures on Thursday 2nd January sees Wolverhampton Wanderers welcome Crystal Palace to Molineux.

Many Wolves fans would have been hoping to see their club above the relegation zone at this point in the season but no one could have predicted they would start the New Year sitting in 7th place.  It has been a strong campaign and a win here would strengthen their place in the top half of the table.

Crystal Palace have a lot of work to do if they are to finish the season in the top half of the Premier League. The first thing on their mind will be to avoid a relegation battle and a win here would certainly help.

Wolves will be full of confidence going into this game having defeated Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley on the weekend.  It was a great result for Nuno Espirito Santo’s team and means Wolves have won four of their last six Premier League matches.

Trends show Wolves have lost only one of their last six Premier League games which was at home to league leaders Liverpool. However, they have enjoyed wins over Chelsea and Spurs, both of which sit in the top four.

Home form has not been great and Wolves have been losing at both half-time and full-time in four of their last six home league matches.  Defensively they need to improve at home and Wolves have conceded 2 or more goals in four of their last six home Premier League games.

Crystal Palace suffered a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Chelsea on Sunday.  The Eagles defended well for much of the game but offered very little in attack and will need to improve in the attacking third of they are to take maximum points at Molineux.

It was a disappointing defeat for Roy Hodgson who has recently overseen wins for Crystal Palace at Manchester City and at home against Leicester City.  In fact, the loss to Chelsea was their first in four Premier League games.

However, away form is not great and that win over Manchester City is their only victory in their last eight away matches in all competitions.  Crystal Palace have lost six of those eight games, conceding 2 or more goals in four of the last five.

Looking ahead to the team news and Wolves are hoping Diogo Jota will be available following a spell on the treatment table.  The Portuguese is the only player who could miss out for Wolves who are close to full strength.

Crystal Palace are still without striker Christian Benteke and have been linked with a move for Liverpool’s Dominic Solanke.  Martin Kelly is the only other injury concern for Palace ahead of this game.

We should see goals in this game, with both teams getting on the scoresheet but Wolves have been the more consistent team this season and should win maximum points if they play to their best.