This weekend, Sheffield United head to Molineux with a sense of urgency as they continue their battle against relegation. Meanwhile, they’ll be met by a Wolves side eager to climb back up the table and rejoin the conversation for European competition.
Gary O’Neil’s team secured another notable victory in the capital last weekend, defeating Tottenham Hotspur 2-1. Meanwhile, the struggling Blades suffered a humiliating 5-0 defeat at the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion after Mason Holgate was sent off.
Thirteen days after delivering a devastating blow to Chelsea fans with a masterful display of counter-attacking prowess, Wolves replicated their lightning-strike success in London, this time at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Currently sitting in 11th place, Wolves are just three points shy of Brighton & Hove Albion, who occupy the Europa Conference League spot.
While Saturday’s results could widen the gap between Wolves and the top seven, manager Gary O’Neil has been cautious about discussing potential European aspirations prematurely. Nonetheless, a draw on Sunday would be sufficient for Wolves to ascend into the top half of the standings, thanks to Chelsea’s involvement in the EFL Cup final.
Despite Wolves emerging victorious in each of their last three away fixtures across all competitions, they have suffered defeats in their last two home matches against Brentford and Manchester United. This comes after a previous streak of eight top-flight games without defeat in front of their loyal supporters.
Sheffield United won’t offer much sympathy to Wolves regarding their recent home struggles. The Bramall Lane crowd recently witnessed one of the season’s worst tackles and performances during Brighton’s visit last weekend.
As the first team in English top-flight history to concede five goals in three consecutive home matches across all competitions, Sheffield United’s already slim hopes of survival continue to diminish. The Blades remain firmly rooted in 20th place, now trailing by seven points from safety after 25 games.
Team news
With Hwang Hee-chan back from the Asian Cup, Wolves currently have only one player unavailable. Matheus Cunha, the Brazilian forward, is nursing a hamstring injury and is expected to be out for a while, although the precise duration of his absence has yet to be determined.
The Blades continue to be without Chris Basham, John Egan, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Max Lowe and Daniel Jebbison. George Baldock, Oli McBurnie and Ben Brereton-Diaz are doubts along with Cameron Archer, per Premier Injuries.
Stats
Wolves have maintained an undefeated streak in their last eight home league encounters against Sheffield United, with four wins and four draws. Their last defeat against the Blades at home dates back to a 3-1 loss in the Championship in October 2002.
Sheffield United’s season has seen them suffer five Premier League defeats by a margin of five or more goals, tying the record for the most such defeats in a single Premier League campaign, a record previously held by Derby County in 2007/08. Only Darwen (7 in 1891/92) and Ipswich Town (6 in 1963/64) have experienced more top-flight losses in a single season by five or more goals.
Despite featuring in only 16 matches this season, Pedro Neto has contributed nine assists for Wolves, marking the highest tally by any Wolves player in a single Premier League campaign. Adama Traore also achieved nine assists but in 37 appearances during the 2019/20 season.
Notably, seven of Neto’s nine assists this term have either resulted in an equalizing goal (3) or a goal that put Wolves into the lead (4).
