2022-23 Premier League: Week 31 – Wolves vs Brentford

Wolves welcome Brentford to Molineux in a huge clash in the race for survival and European qualification respectively.

Victory would see Wolves go 12th with a win if Crystal Palace lose elsewhere, whilst Brentford can go eighth with a win.

 

Team News

Matheus Nunes is a doubt for Wolves after he suffered a knock during their win against Chelsea last weekend, in which he scored the winning goal.

Boubacar Traore (groin) could return but Jonny, Ruben Neves (both suspension), Chiquinho and Sasa Kalajdzic (both knee) remain absent.

Brentford will be without defender, Pontus Jansson for rest of season after he suffered a hamstring injury during their defeat to Newcastle last weekend.

Frank Onyeka (hamstring) could return but Kristoffer Ajaer (calf) and Keane Lewis-Potter (knee) remain absent.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Wolves meet Brentford at Molineux in a 3pm BST kick-off on Saturday 15 April, albeit untelevised in UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Wolves are unbeaten in two of three previous Premier League meetings against Brentford (W1, D1, L1).
• Brentford won 2-0 in their only previous Premier League visit to Wolves (W1), which came in September 2021.
• Brentford’s Ivan Toney has scored in two of his last three appearances against Wolves.
• Wolves are looking to keep consecutive clean sheets for the first time since late August – early September.
• Ivan Toney has been involved in 22 goals in 28 league appearances for Brentford this season, scoring 18 goals and delivering four assists.

 

Prediction

Although beating a low confidence out-of-form Chelsea was a strong possibility, Wolves were absolutely dominant with front-footed control throughout but their end product lacked patience otherwise they would of surely won by a bigger margin.

Brentford meanwhile outclassed Newcastle for large parts of their clash but they ultimately were wasteful in their end product, especially after their defensive effort were undone by two moments of clinical brilliance by the Magpies who pounced upon a slip in marking.

I though do expect Brentford to mount a serious response but Wolves won’t be easy given their improved fluidity, yet the hosts’ home form hasn’t exactly been consistent in 2023 which offers Thomas Frank’s Bees hope otherwise I can see a draw looming.

Prediction: Wolves 1-1 Brentford

Result: Wolves 2-0 Brentford