Wolves vs Everton Preview
- Draw or Everton win
- Over 1.5 goals
Wolverhampton Wanderers welcome Everton to Molineux for a crucial Premier League clash as both teams look to achieve their respective season objectives.
Wolves, sitting just one place below Everton in the standings, will be eager to reduce the ten-point gap between the sides while also creating distance from the relegation zone. Meanwhile, the Toffees aim to extend their impressive unbeaten league run as they push further up the table.
Will Wolves take advantage of their home turf, or will Everton’s recent form prove too strong? Here’s a detailed preview of this encounter.
Wolves Seeking to Cut the Gap and Avoid the Drop
Despite sitting just behind Everton in the league table, Wolves are trailing by a significant ten points, a gap they will be determined to narrow.
With only five points separating them from the relegation zone at the start of the round, every match is crucial as they seek to avoid being dragged into the bottom three.
However, their recent home form has been concerning, with three defeats in their last four league matches at Molineux (W1).
The home crowd will be hoping for a much-improved performance, especially after their disappointing FA Cup exit against Bournemouth, where they were eliminated after extra time and penalties.
What may offer Wolves a glimmer of hope is their historically solid home record against Everton. They have suffered just one defeat in their last seven home Premier League meetings with the Toffees (W3, D3), a trend they will look to continue.
That said, they must also put aside the painful memories of their heavy 4-0 loss in the reverse fixture at Goodison Park earlier this season – their joint-worst league defeat of the campaign.
Everton Aim to Extend Unbeaten Streak
Everton head into this fixture in a strong position, having gone seven Premier League matches without defeat (W4, D3). This marks their longest unbeaten league run since February 2017, and Sean Dyche’s men will be determined to extend it further.
The Toffees’ recent 1-1 draw against Brentford was followed by an extended break, which included a team-bonding trip to Abu Dhabi.
This additional rest could prove vital, especially as Wolves had to endure a gruelling FA Cup battle against Bournemouth. Everton will hope that their fresher legs give them an edge as they seek to maintain their momentum.
A key factor behind their recent success has been their ability to strike early. During their seven-match unbeaten run, Everton have netted 11 of their 15 league goals before half-time, demonstrating their tendency to start games on the front foot.
However, defensive frailties remain a concern, as they have conceded at least one goal in each of their last four league outings. This vulnerability at the back has prevented them from securing even more victories and will be something they must tighten up against Wolves.
Head-to-Head Record: Wolves Strong at Home
While Everton secured a dominant 4-0 victory in the reverse fixture, history suggests Molineux is a tough place for them to visit. Wolves have lost just once in their last seven home league meetings with the Toffees (W3, D3), showing they can be a formidable opponent on home soil.
That said, Wolves’ inconsistency this season means they cannot afford to take past records for granted. Everton’s current unbeaten run indicates they are a much-improved side, making this a fascinating battle between two teams with contrasting fortunes.
Key Players to Watch
Hee-Chan Hwang (Wolves)
The South Korean forward made his return from injury, appearing on the bench against Bournemouth in the FA Cup.
If he features in this match, he could be a key attacking outlet for Wolves, given his past success against Everton.
Hwang has contributed to two goals in his last two home league matches against the Toffees (one goal, one assist), making him a potential difference-maker for the hosts.
Jake O’Brien (Everton)
Defender Jake O’Brien opened his Everton goal account in their 1-1 draw with Brentford, and that could be a confidence booster for him going forward.
His ability to contribute goals from the back shouldn’t be underestimated, especially given that he finished last season as Lyon’s second-highest scorer in Ligue 1 with four goals. Everton will hope he can be a threat from set-pieces once again.
Prediction: Can Wolves Capitalise on Home Advantage?
This encounter presents an interesting challenge for both sides. Wolves will be desperate to claim all three points to move further away from the relegation battle, but their inconsistent home form raises doubts about their ability to do so.
Everton, on the other hand, are enjoying a strong unbeaten streak and have had more time to recover ahead of this match.
Given Wolves’ strong home record against Everton, this could be a tightly contested affair. However, Everton’s tendency to start games strongly could put them in control early on.
Wolves will need to be solid defensively to avoid falling behind, especially with Everton’s attacking threat in the first half.
Predicted Score: Wolves 1-1 Everton
Both teams have enough quality to trouble each other, but Everton’s defensive vulnerabilities and Wolves’ home advantage might balance the scales. A draw seems the most likely outcome in what should be a competitive and hard-fought match.
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Wolves v Everton, 2024/25 | Premier League