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Wolves logo
Premier League | Gameweek 35
May 9, 2021 at 12pm UK
Molineux
Brighton logo

Wolves
2 - 1
Brighton

Traore (76'), Gibbs-White (90')
Kilman (80'), Coady (83')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Dunk (13')
Sanchez (85'), Bissouma (90+2')
Dunk (53'), Maupay (90+7')

Preview: Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Brighton & Hove Albion - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Premier League clash between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brighton & Hove Albion, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Wolverhampton Wanderers square off against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday afternoon looking to move a step closer to finishing no lower than 12th position in the Premier League standings.

However, Brighton, who have all but avoided relegation with four games to spare, make the trip to Molineux sitting just five points adrift of their hosts.


Match preview

Brighton & Hove Albion's Pascal Gross celebrates scoring their first goal against Leeds United in the Premier League on May 1, 2021© Reuters

For all of their entertaining football in the final third this season, Brighton needed last weekend's 2-0 victory over Leeds United to effectively secure their top-flight status for another 12 months.

A Pascal Gross penalty and a superbly-taken second from Danny Welbeck ended a run of four games without success for the Seagulls, who now sit 10 points clear of Fulham.

Although Graham Potter will demand that his players do not take their foot off the gas during the run-in, the Brighton boss can at least begin to think about next season, providing that the South-coast outfit are able to retain his services.

Other clubs in the division are allegedly considering an approach during the summer, but the 45-year-old is unlikely to be in any rush to leave the Amex Stadium just two years into a progressing long-term project.

Even with Manchester City, West Ham United and Arsenal to follow this contest, Potter will feel that his group of players have the ability to gain the five points required to record Brighton's most points in a Premier League season.

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Nuno Espirito Santo pictured in April 2021© Reuters

To a certain degree, Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Nuno Espirito Santo finds himself in a similar situation to his opposite number in the dugout.

Although Wolves are confirmed as a Premier League club for next season, the Portuguese is under pressure from the club's fanbase to use the remaining four fixtures to hand opportunities to the club's prospects.

The likes of Vitinha, Owen Otasowie and Fabio Silva all made a positive impression during the 1-1 draw at Black Country rivals West Bromwich Albion earlier this week.

Nevertheless, supporters want to see that the team selection was not a one-off, especially in the case of Vitinha who they regard as the natural long-term replacement to veteran Joao Moutinho.

After an injury-hit campaign, Wolves deserve credit for avoiding any kind of a relegation battle, but a tough run-in means that they still have work to do to stay above the bottom five teams.

The reverse fixture in January proved to be one of the games of the season with Brighton fighting back to earn a thrilling 3-3 draw.

Wolverhampton Wanderers Premier League form:
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • D

Brighton & Hove Albion Premier League form:
  • W
  • L
  • D
  • D
  • L
  • W



Team News

Brighton & Hove Albion manager Graham Potter pictured in February, 2021© Reuters

Barring any fitness issues, Potter is unlikely to make any alterations to his Brighton starting lineup.

Adam Lallana will not be risked due to a calf problem, while Alexis Mac Allister is expected to remain on the substitutes' bench.

Nuno could hand a start to Max Kilman at left-back after Rayan Ait-Nouri was withdrawn through injury during the latter stages of the West Brom match.

Moutinho is back in contention after being declared fit, but Willy Boly is a certain absentee despite making progress in his recovery from coronavirus.

While Daniel Podence is an alternative to Otasowie on the right flank, Nuno may opt to hand another opportunity to the United States international.

Wolverhampton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Patricio; Semedo, Coady, Saiss, Kilman; Dendoncker, Moutinho; Otasowie, Vitinha, Traore; Silva

Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; White, Dunk, Webster; Veltman, Gross, Bissouma, Burn; Trossard, Welbeck; Maupay


SM words green background

We say: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion

With both teams producing improved performances in their last fixtures, this has the potential to be an entertaining encounter. However, goals have been an issue all season, and we would not be surprised to see this contest end in a low-scoring draw.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data


Video prediction

Watch the Sports Mole Football Shorts prediction for this game below:



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Written by
Darren Plant

Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Brighton & Hove Albion win with a probability of 36.33%. A win for Wolverhampton Wanderers had a probability of 35.97% and a draw had a probability of 27.7%.

The most likely scoreline for a Brighton & Hove Albion win was 0-1 with a probability of 10.95%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 1-2 (7.85%) and 0-2 (6.58%). The likeliest Wolverhampton Wanderers win was 1-0 (10.88%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (13.07%). The actual scoreline of 2-1 was predicted with a 7.8% likelihood.


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Game History

How you voted: Wolves vs Brighton

Wolverhampton Wanderers
51.4%
Draw
29.7%
Brighton & Hove Albion
18.8%
138
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5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
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15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


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