Wolves welcome Southampton to Molineux on Saturday afternoon as the Premier League’s bottom two go head-to-head in a crucial clash, and wolves.co.uk is here to provide a preview ahead of kick-off.
1 | Roll Call
It will be interesting to see what 11 Gary O’Neil selects on Saturday afternoon, with the head coach having no fresh injury worries ahead of the visit of Southampton. There is still a question about the goalkeeping situation, with Jose Sa continuing between the sticks for last weekend’s clash with Crystal Palace, which Sam Johnstone missed through illness. Whether the former Palace keeper will retake the place this weekend, after O’Neil confirmed he is fit, is yet to be seen. If O’Neil reverted to a back four against the league’s lowest scorers, then that could see changes made higher up the pitch. Hee Chan Hwang returned to training this week, although the Korean may not be risked after missing the last month with an ankle problem, but O’Neil could turn to a different forward such as Goncalo Guedes, after the Portuguese set up Joao Gomes’ goal last weekend.
Similar to O’Neil, Russell Martin will be without a few players through long-term injuries this weekend, as Gavin Buzunu recovers from an Achilles issue and Ross Stewart (calf) and Will Smallbone (thigh) continue to be absent. Experienced midfielder Adam Lallana went off with a groin injury in Southampton’s win over Everton last week and is not expected to be back fit for the visit to Molineux, although Martin did not mention the former England man in his pre-match press conference. The manager did, however, indicate Ryan Fraser would not be back in the squad as he has not yet got over an injury which saw him come early out of the Carabao Cup win over Stoke City.
2 | The Stat Pack
Goals
- Matheus Cunha | 4
- Cameron Archer | 4
Assists
- Jorgen Strand Larsen | 2
- Mateus Fernandes | 3
Biggest win
- Wolves 2-0 Burnley | August 2024
- Cardiff City 3-5 Southampton | August 2024
Cards
- Joao Gomes | 4
- Tyler Dibling | 5
Clean sheets
- Dan Bentley | 1
- Aaron Ramsdale | 1
Our Brazilian battler 👊 pic.twitter.com/ay8ZuK1uw9
— Wolves (@Wolves) November 4, 2024
3 | Journey to Saturday
Wolves’ wait for their first win of the Premier League season continued into this weekend after O’Neil’s side had to settle for a point in their latest top flight clash. Coming out of the last international break, the Old Gold have lost to a last-second controversial finish against Manchester City before having to fight back from two goals down in the last five minutes away at Brighton to snatch a point. Last weekend saw Wolves face Crystal Palace at Molineux, and in a topsy turvy game, which could have gone either way, the hosts earned another draw, meaning it is now 10 without victory for O’Neil’s side.
Southampton also went into last weekend’s fixtures without a win, but Martin’s men were able to put their first three points on the board after a late winner over Everton at St Mary’s. Adam Armstrong was the hero for his side after a late Beto goal for the Toffees was ruled out for offside. The Saints had earned just one point from their previous nine, thanks to a draw against Ipswich Town, but after a 3-2 loss to Leicester and a 1-0 defeat to Man City, they’re now on a run of two wins in succession after moving into the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup with a 3-2 win over Stoke City during the previous midweek.
4 | A first Prem win against the Saints
Wolves were settling nicely into the Premier League in September 2018 and victory over Southampton – their first in the top flight since the division rebranded in 1992 – further helped the process. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side had to be patient, waiting until the 79th minute for the opening goal, with Ivan Cavaleiro firing into the roof of the net with his first touch of the football in the top flight. Eight minutes later the win was wrapped up, as Jonny knocked home his first goal for the club to make it 2-0 and seal the win.
Wolves | Patricio, Doherty, Bennett, Coady, Boly, Otto, Moutinho, Neves, Costa (Traore 53), Jota (Cavaleiro 77), Jimenez (Bonatini 90).
Southampton | McCarthy, Cedric, Vestergaard, Hoedt, Bertrand, Lemina, Hojbjerg, El Yuonoussi (Armstrong 71), Redmond, Austin (Gabbiadini 77), Ings.
