Wolves and Bristol City are two teams who find themselves somewhat languishing around the lower rungs of that undesirable mid-table region, and, in a division as competitive as the Championship, this is a far from a secure place to be.
Considering their current predicaments, this Boxing Day fixture at Molineux is a big game for both and it’s likely that both teams will feel they have a reasonable chance here. Having said this, if we delve a little deeper, there is plenty to suggest that Wolves are the team to be on and it’s fancied that the hosts can make it two wins on the bounce after beating Nottingham Forest last Saturday.
At a price of 13/10, Wolves are well worth backing to secure all three points, while ‘Wolves to Score Over 1.5 Goals’, at 5/4, is also a bet to be on. It’s very true that the hosts haven’t exactly thrived this campaign, but their season has been one of fine margins and, at times, bad luck. In recent weeks, improvement has looked forthcoming and a timely away victory last time out could see them kick-on.
The visit of Bristol City isn’t likely to strike fear into the hearts of many teams and, other than their own complacency, Wolves really do have nothing to fear here. Paul Lambert’s men have scored plenty of goals of late and, now back in front of a home crowd, they can convert that attacking prowess into another three points.
If you were to look at the home form of Wolves right now, it certainly wouldn’t inspire you, nor would you immediately be rushing out to get your money down off the back of it. However, the fixture list hasn’t exactly been kind to them of late – Derby, Norwich, Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday are four teams who’re very much involved in the fight for promotion this season, so narrowly losing out to such opponents isn’t the worst thing in the world. Things will certainly get easier and facing Bristol City is both a less daunting task and an excellent opportunity to gain a long-overdue home victory.
Away from home, Bristol City have been nothing short of poor. They’ve won just two of their 11 away matches, losing seven of the other nine. In addition, Lee Johnson’s outfit are without a win in six and are now on an overall losing streak of three. They haven’t been the worst in front of goal, but keeping them out at the other end has definitely been a problem. The visitors have conceded 17 goals on the road and have kept just one clean sheet. They’ve also conceded at least two goals on six occasions when playing away from Ashton Gate, including in three of their last five.
As mentioned above, Wolves have found goals much easier to come by of late and it appears that their forward players are finally coming to the party. Better late than never. The hosts have notched nine goals in their last five games, and, considering Bristol City’s defensive woes, it’s easy to see this tally increasing here.
Backing a side whose record is patchy at best (even if it is against a weak team) probably won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but Paul Lambert’s side have certainly improved of late and they find themselves presented with an excellent opportunity to continue on the up.
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