Prediction: Wolves vs Everton

Verdict: Full-time draw

Best odds: 3.30 

Bookmaker: ZetBet

Wolves host Everton in what promises to be a total show at the Molineux Stadium. The two teams played a very exciting football during this month’s winter holidays.

Wolves

Gary O’Neil has revived his team at this end of the year with excellent performances that have led to 3 wins in their last 5 games. The trip to West Ham was the Wolves’ only failure in this month of gifts, a defeat quickly forgotten by fans following their performances against Chelsea and Brentford. A surprising home win over Chelsea was the perfect response to their shameful defeat against the Hammers. Wolverhampton’s attack is in excellent form, managing to score no less than 6 goals in the last 2 rounds. The home win over Chelsea gave excellent morale to O’Neil’s players, who outdid themselves to win at Brentford with an impressive 4-1.

Molineux became a real fortress this season where only Liverpool (1-3) and Brighton (1-4) managed to achieve victory. The hosts are unbeaten in their last 7 matches played in front of their supporters, with a record of 4 wins and 3 draws. Chelsea, Tottenham and champions Manchester City are among the top sides that have been bitten deadly by Wolves. The excellent run over the last 2 months has propelled the Central England team to mid-table, 10 points above the relegation zone. Although they are not currently in the battle to qualify for the European Cups, recent results give hope to the home team of getting closer to the top 5.

Team News

Pedro Neto is an important absentee from the home side. Although the Wolves talented attacking midfielder returned to the squad in training, he was not on the bench for the match against Chelsea. Gary O’Neil has stated that he will not rush his comeback until the player is fully recovered and 100% at full fitness.

Hwang Hee-Chan has suffered an undisclosed injury at training and will not play against Everton. Fabio Silva, the young Portuguese striker and Boubacar Traore will not be in the squad to face Everton.

Everton

Everton have shown character this season. Sean Dyche’s side suffered a 10-point deduction at the end of November due to Premier League breaches of financial fair play. Although everyone expected that this heavy blow suffered by the Toffees would send the team into a tough fight to avoid relegation, things went quite the opposite. Sean Dyche used this difficult moment to extra motivate his players who were playing every game like a final. This was also felt in the team’s results which managed to get 4 consecutive wins in December. These victories revealed not only the attacking strength of the away team but also the set-up play and a solid defence (no goals conceded in these games).

The dramatic EFL Cup quarter-final defeat against Fulham after the penalty shootout was the result that induced Everton’s fall. A narrow defeat suffered in London against Tottenham (2-1) was followed by a home setback against champions Manchester City (1-3). This latter result was the first time Everton had conceded 3 goals in their last 7 official games. Away from home, the players trained by Sean Dyche managed to achieve incredible performance this season:7 wins, one draw, and only 3 defeats. Only Tottenham, Liverpool and Aston Villa have managed to beat Everton on their turf.

Team News

Although the visitors have some important and long-lasting missing players, Sean Dyche has managed to successfully make up for them. Dele Ali is yet to feature in Sean Dyche’s team after his return from the unsuccessful Besikas loan spell. Alongside his groin injury, the talented attacking midfielder has also battled with depression in recent years.

Ashley Young (undisclosed injury), Abdoulaye Doucoure( hamstrings) and Idrissa Gana Gueye (calf) are all out and will not travel to Wolverhampton. However, Sean Dyche has proven his great ability to adapt to the current circumstances and get the best out of his team.

Key factors to consider

• Wolves lost only 2 matches played at home this season (1-3 with Liverpool and 1-4 with Brighton).
• Gary O’Neil’s players are undefeated in the last 7 matches.
• The hosts defeated Chelsea 2-1 in the last game played at Molineux Stadium.
• Despite a 10-point deduction, Everton is above relegation positions.
• Tottenham ended Everton’s 4 undefeated games run, just before Christmas.

Conclusion

Wolves and Everton play attractive football with lots of goals being scored. Both sides proved their value in matches played against the Premier League’s best. Given the recent results and the similar value between the two sides, we are going for an undecided finish.

Verdict: Full-time draw

Best odds: 3.30 

Bookmaker: ZetBet