The Christmas period begins in the Premier League on Friday night when the leaders Liverpool look to open up a four point gap at the top of the table and ensure they will be leading the way on Christmas Day, when they head to Molineux to take on a Wolves side who will move up to sixth with a win.
Both sides head into the match in good touch so this should be an entertaining way to kick off a lengthy run of fixtures over the festive season, one which could well tell us all about where the title is heading this term.
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Wolverhampton Wanderers
It has been a season of two halves for Wolves on their return to the Premier League. They began the campaign strongly and looked set to justify the expectation around them after the way they won the Championship last season and money they have spent assembling their squad. They then had a wobble in the middle part of it but have come out the other side and head into this match having won their last three matches including a victory over Chelsea.
I’ve mentioned before when I have previewed Wolves matches that their lack of goals or a genuine goal threat scares the life out of me when I watch them play. The flip side of that is they are generally pretty organised and can be hard to break down. They are not really a side that get on the front foot and go at teams but they do have a good record against the bigger teams this term.
Liverpool
The Reds head to Molineux still unbeaten in the league this season. They play first this weekend so can open up a four point gap at the top of the table but sometimes that can bring its own pressure. In fairness though the last time they played first they walloped Bournemouth 4-0 although they were looking to go top then not extend a lead out in front.
Much is always made of Liverpool’s attacking core but this season at least it is arguably their defence which has delivered the goods more regularly. They have conceded just seven goals in their 17 matches this term which is quite some record. Only Arsenal, Man City and Chelsea have taken points away from the Champions League finalists so far.
Team News
Wolves will be without Diogo Jota for this match after he picked up an injury in the win over Bournemouth last week. Helder Costa could be the man to come in for him in an otherwise potentially unchanged side.
James Milner missed the win over Manchester United last time out and he is expected to be fit for this one. Trent Alexander-Arnold is closing in on a return from a sprained ankle but is unlikely to feature here.
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Betting
I think we’ve seen enough from Wolves this season to suggest that they can trouble Liverpool in this match but none of the lines around the game are really conducive to getting close. We really need a result from them if they are going to deliver us a pay out and while they will be game I’m just not convinced enough that one will come.
We are starting a large run of matches in the two English divisions I cover so there are going to be somewhere close to 100 fixtures to go at over the next couple of weeks. Given that, I don’t need to push the boat out on the first one so I’ll sit this out.
Tips
No Bet
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