Basement Battle Looms as Wolves Host Resurgent Saints
Wolverhampton Wanderers welcome a revitalised Southampton side to Molineux Stadium on Saturday. The Saints, fresh from ending a 22-match winless drought last weekend, can put four-point gap between themselves and their hosts with a victory in the Midlands.
Russell Martin’s charges finally broke their duck for the 2024-25 Premier League season by edging past Everton 1-0, while winless Wolves were denied a maiden victory in thrilling fashion by Crystal Palace. For a fleeting five minutes, it seemed Wolves would finally get off the mark, only for a dramatic Eagles comeback to leave them still stuck on three points from a possible 30.
Oliver Glasner’s men twice surrendered the lead in a wild 17-minute spell, with Palace defender Marc Guehi pouncing on shoddy Wolves defending to level the match at 2-2. The visitors even thought they had snatched a winner only for Daniel Munoz’s late foul on Jose Sa to spare Wolves’ blushes. The draw was little consolation for a fanbase growing increasingly desperate for a first win of the campaign.
Wolves remain rooted to the foot of the Premier League table, their winless start to the season their worst since 1983-84 when they finished rock-bottom. Manager Gary O’Neil, under mounting pressure, saw his substitutions questioned by his own supporters last weekend, but they nearly brought a shock three points.
As Wolves lament their defensive frailties, spirits are soaring on the South Coast. Southampton ended their excruciating wait for a Premier League win since March 2023 by seeing off Everton at St Mary’s. Aaron Ramsdale’s top-class saves kept the Saints level before Adam Armstrong’s late sucker punch sealed a priceless 1-0 victory.
The win was a massive relief for Martin’s men, who still find themselves in the relegation mire. However, they now have a chance to build some breathing room between themselves and Wolves, and to end a horrendous eight-match losing streak on the road.
Wolves’ injury crisis shows no signs of abating, with five players still sidelined long-term. Hwang Hee-chan is also a major doubt before the international break, meaning Jose Sa is likely to keep his place in goal despite the return to training of Sam Johnstone.
The visitors will be buoyed by the possibility of Adam Lallana missing out through injury, which could see Joe Aribo and the promising Tyler Dibling handed starts. Dibling, however, is walking a disciplinary tightrope, one booking away from a suspension.
The stage is set for a tense basement battle at Molineux. Can Wolves finally get off the mark, or will the resurgent Saints heap more misery on their hosts?
Wolverhampton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Sa; Toti, Bueno, Dawson; Semedo, Doyle, Lemina, Ait-Nouri; Gomes, Cunha; Strand Larsen
Southampton possible starting lineup:
Ramsdale; Bednarek, Harwood-Bellis, Stephens; Sugawara, Downes, Fernandes, Walker-Peters; Aribo, Dibling; Armstrong
