Photo: Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images
Match Details: Premier League, 11/05/2024, 15:00 Kick Off, Molineux Stadium
Palace’s United Front
It has been a simply remarkable upturn in form for Crystal Palace in the last month. Taking 13 points from their last available 15, including winning at Anfield, dismantling European Champions West Ham, and outclassing Manchester United, it’s fair to say Palace’s form has been red hot since Oliver Glasner’s arrival. Indeed, only Manchester City have taken more points from their last 5 than Palace.
It was on Monday night that Glasner’s work became obvious to the world. A 4-0 demolition of Manchester United highlighted the work that the Austrian has put in since his arrival. A highly spirited team performance, spearheaded by the deadly combination of Eze, Olise, and Mateta, left the Red Devils stunned. It was not just the attack that stood out, the entire team put in an incredible shift, with both wingbacks involved in the goals; Munoz with a pair of assists, and Mitchell scoring the third. This really is the epitome of Glasner’s ethos, a combination of aggressive play and hard work to stifle the opposition.
This rich run of form and performances sees Palace heading to Molineux in a curious position. Objectively speaking, neither team has anything to play for, with both having secured Premier League football for the 24/25 season.
Try telling that to either manager however. Neither Gary O’Neill nor Glasner will rest on their laurels for this. Glasner said post Manchester United that Palace have to “focus on the details”. With this mentality, the desire to extend their unbeaten run, and the incredible work rate seen in recent matches, it is hard to see anything but entertainment in the Midlands this Saturday.
Photo: Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images
Whilst Palace have been red-hot, Wolves have been cooling down at the end of the season. After a promising first half of the campaign, O’Neill’s men have been plagued by injury and inconsistency, leaving them with two wins from their last ten matches, But with key players coming back from injury – Cunha and Neto chief amongst them – Wolves will be keen to recapture their early form that saw them as outside shots for European qualification.
Stat of the week
With his thunderous finish against Manchester United, Jean-Phillipe Mateta set a Selhurst record of scoring in six consecutive goals at home. Under Glasner, he has managed nine goals in eleven appearances.
Early team news
Despite their Monday night exertions, there are no fresh concerns for Palace. Although Hughes came off midway through the second half, he is thought to be fit for the weekend, and is likely to continue to start alongside Adam Wharton in midfield. Jefferson Lerma has also appeared in training sessions this week, but won’t be available for Saturday.
The game also comes too soon for Palace’s long-term absentees. Sam Johnstone, Rob Holding, Cheick Doucoure, and Matheus França will all miss Palace’s penultimate fixture. There is also a chance that Guehi could play from the start, having returned against United as a substitute on Monday night.
As for Wolves, Mario Lemina was withdrawn at halftime in their defeat to Manchester City with a tight hamstring. Whether this was precautionary or not remains to be seen, but there is a chance he will be unavailable on Saturday. Pedro Neto, who also missed the City match, has been in full training for several days, so may feature against the Eagles. Craig Dawson and Leon Chiwome are Wolves’ only confirmed absentees for the fixture.
Wolves limping over the line
Gary O’Neill’s Wolves have been pragmatic this season. Their defensive discipline has created a platform for their attacking talent to thrive and star players such as Matheus Cunha, Pedro Neto and Hwang Hee-Chan have been influential.
Photo: Jack Thomas/WWFC/Getty Images
They’ve been far from boring, scoring four goals against Brentford and Chelsea this season, with wins against Manchester City and Tottenham to boast as well. Their five at their back system suits them in games where they expect to have little of the ball and hit opponents on the counter-attack.
However, their defending has been worse recently, with Wolves’ last clean sheet coming on the 28th of February against Brighton in the FA Cup. Given that they have faced an average of 14.6 shots per game, their lack of clean sheets has not been too surprising.
The positive start that O’Neil made in his new role at Molineux has drastically petered out and with only one win in their last eight Premier League matches, Wolves will certainly be dreading the visit of a Palace side in scintillating form.
Cal’s Analysis
Gary O'Neill’s Wolves are in a bad run of form. They have conceded 11 goals in their last five games and have not kept a clean sheet in the Premier League since the end of February. They, similar to Glasner’s Palace, look to set up in a 3-4-2-1, with the width being supplied by the full-backs. The two playing behind the striker look to get into the halfspaces and exploit the opposition.
Wolves, at 11.4, average the third fewest shots-per-game in the Premier League and have conceded the sixth most shots-per-game (14.6) These numbers suggest O’Neill’s side should be in a relegation scrap, but they have been relatively clear of danger all season.
An area Oliver Glasner may look to exploit, will be attacking Wolves at pace on transition. Like we have seen recently, Glasner’s desire is to win the ball high up the pitch and attack while the opposition is vulnerable. With the speed that Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise and Jean-Phillipe Mateta are playing with right now, this will cause problems for the Wolves defence.
Wolves however, have proved dangerous from set-plays. They have scored from 14 set pieces this season (Joint 4th in the league with Aston Villa) and with the height of Max Killman, Toti Gomes and Mario Lemina, they pose a substantial threat to Palace. If it is anything like the reverse fixture at Selhurst Park this season, then goals can be expected.
@calb20_10
Predicted Lineups
Wolves: Sa (GK); Ait-Nouri, Gomes, Kilman, Semedo; Doherty; Gomes, Traore, Bellegarde ; Cunha, Hwang.
Crystal Palace: Henderson (GK); Munoz, Richards, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Hughes, Wharton; Eze, Olise, Mateta.
Match Officials
Referee: Tom Bramall
Assistants: Wade Smith, Akil Howson
Fourth Official: Simon Hooper
VAR: Michael Salisbury
Assistant VAR: Sian Massey-Ellis