Premier League
Wolves vs Crystal Palace Preview
Wolverhampton Wanderers will host Crystal Palace at the Molineux as both these teams will look to pick up their first points of 2019. Nuno Espirito Santo’s Wolves have been defying expectations all season. They have pulled off some remarkable results and currently are 8th on the table. Crystal Palace have not been truly up to scratch. They are 14th in the standings, 10 points behind Wolves. With the second half of the season looming large, both these sides will want to pick up all 3 points today. Wolves will be especially driven to win because they are within touching distance of the top six.
Team News
The hosts have no significant injuries. Only Diogo Jota has a slight hamstring injury and is doubtful for the game as of now.
Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace will miss Christian Benteke through the knee injury he suffered earlier in the season. Martin Kelly is also doubtful for the game after an apparent groin issue. Although, both the players are expected to return really soon.
Ones To Watch
For Wolves, the focus will be on their striker Raul Jimenez. The Mexican has been directly involved in 10 of the team’s 23 Premier League goals this season. He has popped up with 6 goals and 4 assists. Another one to look out for in the Wolves side is Matt Doherty. The fullback has has been a threat offensively and solid in an organized Wolves defense. Doherty has scored thrice and assisted his teammates 4 times from right back.
Struggling Crystal Palace will turn to their star man Wilfred Zaha to break down the Wolves’ back-line. Although the Ivorian hasn’t been at the peak of his prowess this season, he is still a huge threat to any defense in the league. Another player who is coming into his own of late is Andros Townsend. He put in an absolute shift against Man City in their stunning 3-2 win and is looking like an offensive threat every time he’s on the ball.
Match Facts and Predictions
Let us take a look at some noteworthy facts about these two teams.
- Wolves have lost only one of their last 12 top flight games against Palace. Out of the other 11, Wolverhampton Wanderers have won 5 and drawn 6.
- Roy Hodgson has won only 2 of his last 8 previous Premier League matches against Wolves (D2,L4).
- The hosts have scored a league high ratio of 78% of their goals in the second half this season. 18/23 have come in the second half.
- After a stunning result at the Etihad, Palace are looking to pick up consecutive away wins for the first time since April 2017.
Wolves are flying at the moment and their last fixture against Spurs yielded an amazing 3-1 win for them. Morale will be high and confidence will be soaring for Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad. Additionally, Wolves have been formidable at home. Although Palace won against City in spectacular fashion, they have then gone and drawn against Cardiff and lost to Chelsea. It is hard to see Wolves losing this game but if Palace play the way they did against Manchester City, it is more than likely.
Prediction: Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 Crystal Palace
Photo credit to Highlight Store via Flickr
