Premier League preview: West Brom v Wolves

More than bragging rights are at stake when local rivals West Bromwich Albion and Wolves meet in a relegation battle on Sunday.

Wolves secured a famous 2-1 win over Manchester United at Molineux earlier this month, inflicting a first league defeat of the season on the Premier League title challengers.

But it also happened to be Wolves’ only victory in their last six league matches.

They lost 2-0 away to Arsenal in their most recent league outing.

Mick McCarthy’s side defeated reigning champions Chelsea and also upset Liverpool earlier in the season, but have struggled to record vital wins against their fellow relegation candidates.

Defeats to the likes of West Ham United, Blackpool and Wigan have left Wolves bottom of the table with 24 points.

West Brom are 17th, clear of the drop zone on goal difference only and just three points better off than Wolves.

The two sides have also played one match fewer than the teams between them – Wigan and West Ham in 18th and 19th place – adding yet more significance to Sunday’s meeting at the Hawthorns.

West Brom have fared little better than Wolves in 2011 – they beat Blackpool and drew with Wigan, but have also lost to Blackburn, Manchester City and Fulham in a run that cost Roberto Di Matteo his position as manager.

New boss Roy Hodgson was in the stands to see the team throw away a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 at home to West Ham in their last outing.

The former Liverpool boss will be in charge on the touchline for his first time on Sunday.

West Brom will be without midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu, while defender Marek Cech and midfielder Steven Reid are doubtful but could still feature.

Wolves’ long-term absentees Adlene Guedioura and Michael Kightly are likely to be out for some time yet, but defender Michael Mancienne is expected to return in the near future.

Midfielder Stephen Hunt is a doubt with a calf injury.