Wolverhampton Wanderers will need to reinvigorate their offensive play without the efforts of the talismanic Raul Jimenez, who has been deemed unfit ahead of his return from a lengthy head injury.
Wolves have endured a challenging term after seeing multiple injuries and coronavirus related setbacks have a detrimental effect and quelling their progress.
Brighton & Hove Albion have effectively ensured Premier League survival after clinching a deserved victory against Leeds United last time out and establishing a 10-point gap over the depths of relegation peril.
The security of the commendable position might just evoke a sense of freedom and give the Seagull’s the edge over a Wolves side that have only managed to score twice in the same game once across their past ten fixtures in the division.
Wolves need to find cutting edge
There is almost the pessimistic sense that those involved with Wolves simply want the season to curtail and for preparations for an improved campaign to commence.
The side lie in 12th place and any hopes of achieving a fourth successive top-half finish look minuscule and would require a miracle with four games left to play – 11th placed Aston Villa are clear by six points and have a game in hand.
The ship has stabilised somewhat - despite the likes of Pedro Neto and Jonny Otto suffering long-term injuries in recent months – after a woeful period earlier in the campaign where the side achieved two meagre victories across 14 league outings.
Wolves’ return of 33 Premier League goals this term is only worsened by the four clubs languishing at the bottom of the table, an issue that requires a concise solution if the club are to reach the heights of previous seasons.
Vitinha deserves inclusion
Wolves drew with midlands rivals and Premier League strugglers West Bromwich Albion last time out, with boss Nuno Espirito Santo opting to play some of the younger players in the squad.
Vitinha was the pick of the bunch, the talented 21-year-old making the most of a rare opportunity to excel in the Premier League and instilled a reassured presence into the team with a mixture of incisive and dynamic passing.
Despite the established Joao Moutinho regaining full fitness once again, a second consecutive start in the division might provide the Vitinha with the means to galvanise further and continue to flourish as he settles in England.
Brighton unbowed against Wanderers
Brighton have never tasted defeat against Wolves in the top-flight over 11 meetings, which is a record for any club in the top English division without emerging victorious.
It will require a performance reminiscent of recent seasons past if Wolves are to achieve a victory that might allow for a positive end to a term heavily disrupted by the global pandemic.
Wolves were very close to vanquishing the unwanted record this very campaign but allowed the win to slip from their grasp as they drew 3-3 at the AMEX Stadium after being two goals to the good.
Should Brighton prevail on their trip to the Molineux and secure back-to-back victories in Premier League fortunes might look bleaker for Wolves, who would only better their opposition by two points as the season draws to a close.