It’s a trip to Southampton up next for Vitor Pereira’s side, who are looking to pull further clear of the Premier League bottom three, and here’s everything supporters need to know ahead of kick-off.
1 | Roll Call
Vitor Pereira confirmed that Marshall Munetsi is fit and available to face Southampton, having netted his first goal for the club last weekend, before leaving the pitch at half-time due to injury. Matheus Cunha’s suspension continues, following his dismissal at Bournemouth. The head coach is without Yerson Mosquera, Sasa Kalajdzic and Enso Gonzalez due to long-term injuries, but has an otherwise fully fit squad to select from. It means Emmanuel Agbadou, Goncalo Guedes and Hee Chan Hwang came through their returns from injury unscathed against Everton.
Ivan Juric confirmed in Friday’s press conference that he’ll be without the experienced Jan Bednarek for the fixture, with the defender not passing concussion protocol, after leaving the pitch early at Anfield last week. Will Smallbone also started at Liverpool but will be absent at the weekend having picked up a groin problem. Elsewhere, James Bree and Ryan Fraser continue to be ruled out due to injury.
2 | The Stat Pack
Goals
- Matheus Cunha | 15
- Cameron Archer | 5
Assists
- Nelson Semedo | 5
- Mateus Fernandes | 4
Biggest win
- Fulham 1-4 Wolves | November 2024
- Southampton 3-0 Swansea | January 2025 (FA Cup)
Yellow cards
- Joao Gomes | 8
- Flynn Downes | 10
Clean sheets
- Jose Sa | 5
- Aaron Ramsdale | 3
3 | Journey to Saturday
Wolves are making steady progress in their battle for Premier League safety, they but still have work to do when they head to St Mary’s. Last week’s point against Everton, courtesy of Munetsi’s first goal for the club, was another one in the right direction after the bottom three all lost, meaning the gap is now six points. All focus is on the league now, following the Old Gold’s penalty shootout exit of the Emirates FA Cup at Bournemouth, and Pereira’s side face more than two weeks without a game following the trip to the south coast. In recent weeks the Old Gold impressed in defeat at Anfield and won at the Vitality Stadium in league action, so will travel to St Mary’s in a positive frame of mind.
Southampton are 14 points worse off than Wolves and are facing an instant return to the Championship, having been promoted via the play-offs in May. The Saints have won just two matches this term and drawn three, leaving them on nine points from 28 games. Following their 1st February win at Ipswich Town, Juric’s side have lost all four matches, conceding 14 goals in the process. Their last positive result on home soil came back in November, when they defeated Everton 1-0. The league’s basement side need to make up eight points on next best Leicester City with just ten matches remaining.
The pitchside view of a well-worked team goal.
— Wolves (@Wolves) March 9, 2025
🇿🇼⚽️ pic.twitter.com/Bxse5dObuS
4 | Joao sinking the Saints
A little over two years ago Wolves needed points to ease their position at the foot of the Premier League table, and a visit to St Mary’s helped their cause. Carlos Alcaraz’s opener had lifted the pressure on Saints boss Nathan Jones, who would have fancied his chances after Mario Lemina’s dismissal for the visitors. However, Julen Lopetegui’s Wolves rallied after the break and Jan Bednarek bundled the ball over the line after getting in the way of Adama Traore’s shot. Wolves completed the turnaround three minutes from time when Joao Gomes curled home on his debut to begin his Wolves journey on a thrilling note.
Southampton | Bazunu, Maitland-Niles, Bree (Edozie 80), Perraud (Lyanco 74), Salisu, Bednarek, Ward-Prowse, Sulemana, Alcarez (Aribo 79), Lavia (Armstrong 89), Onuachu (Adams 74).
Wolves | Sa, Semedo (Jonny 84), Dawson, Kilman, Ait-Nouri (H Bueno 79), Neves, Lemina, Moutinho (Adama 45), Nunes (J Gomes 70), Sarabia, Cunha (Costa 59).
