This weekend, Molineux will be the venue for a crucial clash between two sides who have endured a difficult start to the Premier League season.
The term "relegation six-pointer" is often used in football, but in this case, it’s particularly apt.
Southampton head to the West Midlands buoyed by their first Premier League win of the season, securing all three points with a late Adam Armstrong strike in their 1-0 victory over Everton.
Wolves, still searching for their first league win of the season, will be eager to claim all three points in front of an expectant home crowd at Molineux.
For manager Gary O'Neil, this is a critical match, as parts of the home support began to voice their frustration following last week’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace. The pressure is mounting, and a positive result is essential to silence the growing discontent.
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Team News
Wolves may welcome back Sam Johnstone in goal after illness, but with José Sá in solid form, the decision is still up in the air. It’s a tough call for the manager, as Sá's performances have given him a strong claim to retain the starting spot.
The hosts remain without long-term absentees Sasa Kalajdzic (knee), Enso Gonzalez (knee), Boubacar Traore (knee), and Yerson Mosquera (knee), all of whom continue to recover from injury.
French youngster Bastien Meupiyou has returned to training but is unlikely to feature in this match.
Mario Lemina is expected to return to O'Neil's starting XI after making his comeback in last week's 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace.
As for Southampton, Martin confirmed in his post-match press conference following the victory over Everton that Adam Lallana's substitution was due to a reoccurrence of his groin injury.
Ryan Fraser is unlikely to start, while Gavin Bazunu (Achilles), Will Smallbone (thigh), and Ross Stewart (calf) have all been ruled out of the match.
Joe Aribo is also expected to return, likely replacing the injured Adam Lallana in the starting lineup.
Predicted line-ups:
Wolves: Sa; Toti, Bueno, Dawson; Semedo, Doyle, Lemina, Ait-Nouri; Gomes, Cunha; Strand Larsen
Southampton: Ramsdale; Bednarek, Harwood-Bellis, Stephens; Sugawara, Downes, Fernandes, Walker-Peters; Aribo, Archer; Armstrong
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Head-to-Head
The Saints have struggled in recent meetings with Wolves, losing their last five Premier League encounters. The most recent defeat came in 2023, when they were beaten 2-1 at home. Southampton will be eager to break this poor run, as they look to gain a crucial victory and end their losing streak against the Midlands side.
However, the hosts' squad has undergone significant changes since that match, and they are now considerably weaker than the team that faced Southampton last time.
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Ones to Watch
Wolves: Nelson Semedo
The wing-back is known for his attacking runs, and in the five-at-the-back formation that Gary O'Neil has reinstated, he frequently acts as an outlet, providing an option going forward.
Against Manchester City, Semedo was relentless in his runs up and down the right flank, playing a key role in creating the goal for Jørgen Strand Larsen and coming close to scoring one himself.
Expect to see him in advanced attacking positions as Southampton look to implement a high press, and don't be surprised if he adds a goal or assist to his tally.
Southampton: Adam Armstrong
The Saints forward will have been thrilled to open his account for the season, especially after his highly prolific campaign in the Championship.
The goal should provide him with a much-needed boost in confidence, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he finds the net again in this match. Wolves have one of the leakiest defences in the league, and Southampton will be looking to exploit this weakness, using Armstrong's pace and clinical finishing to breach their backline.
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How to Watch
The Premier League clash between Wolves and Southampton will take place on Saturday, November 9th, 2024, with kick-off at 10:00 AM ET. The match will be available to watch on Peacock Premium.
