As we gear up for this Premier League clash on May 2, Wolves find themselves in a dire spot, staring relegation in the face. They're languishing at the bottom of the table with just 17 points from 34 games, and their recent form screams trouble. Losses to Tottenham, Leeds, and West Ham have piled up, with that 2-2 draw against Brentford offering a rare glimmer, but even that FA Cup defeat to Liverpool underscores how toothless they've been.
And then there's Sunderland, sitting comfortably in 12th on 46 points. They've mixed wins over Spurs and Newcastle with a couple of setbacks, like that hammering by Nott'm Forest and a loss to Aston Villa. It's not flawless, but they're miles ahead in the mid-table scrap. History favors them too; Sunderland beat Wolves 2-0 back in October, and they haven't lost to this lot in recent Premier League meetings. That 3-0 win in 2018 might be old news, yet it paints a pattern.
But let's not sugarcoat it—Wolves are dealing with key absences that could hurt. Sam Johnstone's shoulder injury, Matt Doherty's unknown issue, and Ladislav Krejčí's neck problem mean they're short-handed. Sunderland aren't immune either, with Romaine Mundle out due to a hamstring, Bertrand Traoré nursing a knee injury until mid-May, and Nilson Angulo and Jocelin Ta Bi sidelined with muscle and ankle troubles. Still, that might not derail them much.
Keep an eye on Tolu Arokodare for Wolves; he's their top man with three goals, alongside Rodrigo Gomes. They're the bright spots in an otherwise dismal attack that's only managed 24 goals all season. Over on the Sunderland side, Brian Brobbey's banged in six goals, making him a real threat, and Enzo Le Fée's added four more. With Wolves' defense leaking like a sieve—they've conceded 62—Sunderland should exploit that.
This is Gameweek 35, and Wolves are in a full-on relegation battle with their paltry scoring record. Sunderland's mid-table safety means they've got less pressure, which could let them play freely. I expect them to edge this one; Wolves just haven't shown they can turn things around.
They've got the form and the history on their side, so Sunderland ought to come out on top. Don't be surprised if it's a low-scoring affair, given Wolves' struggles up front.
Recommended Bets
Bet 1 @2.00 — Sunderland to win; they're in better shape and have the head-to-head edge.
Bet 2 @1.80 — Under 2.5 goals; Wolves' poor scoring and recent low-output games make this likely.
Bet 3 @2.50 — Brian Brobbey to score anytime; as Sunderland's top scorer, he's due with their attack clicking.
Odds tend to shorten closer to kickoff — lock in value now.
