Winless Wolves hosts Brentford as search for maiden victory continues.
Wolves vs Brentford kicks off at 15:00 [GMT] on Saturday, December 20, at the Molineux.
Wolves come into the game on a nine-match losing run in the Premier League, the longest in their league history. Only three teams have ever lost 10 or more consecutive matches within a single Premier League season, underlining how close Wolves are to an unwanted milestone. Their problems extend beyond recent weeks too—they are now winless in their last 20 league games, a run surpassed only four times in the competition’s history, with most of those ending in relegation. Home form offers little comfort. Wolves have failed to win any of their last 10 league matches at Molineux, drawing two and losing eight. It is their worst home run since a similar spell between December 2011 and May 2012, and the lack of a reliable home platform has only intensified the pressure on the squad and coaching staff. Historically, this fixture has not been kind either: Wolves have won just one of their four Premier League home meetings with Brentford. Individually, Wolves’ attacking struggles are stark. No player has scored more than three goals in all competitions, with Tolu Arokodare their joint top scorer. His equaliser against Arsenal last time out was his first Premier League goal, offering a rare positive in an otherwise bleak run. Finding that elusive maiden victory remains the club’s only short-term objective. A 4—4—2 formation with Larsen and Hwang Hee-Chan in attack is expected against the Bees. Tawanda Chirewa and Emmanuel Agbadou have left for AFCON.
Brentford arrive with fewer headline-grabbing streaks but with problems of their own. After losing three of their first five league games against Wolves, the Bees are now unbeaten in the last three meetings, winning twice. However, away from home they remain vulnerable. Since the start of last season, only Wolves themselves have lost more away Premier League games than Brentford, and the Bees have lost their last four on the road. December, in particular, has been a difficult month for them away from home, with nine defeats in 12 such matches. Meanwhile, Brentford still possess one of the league’s most prolific forwards. Despite going three matches without scoring, Igor Thiago remains the Premier League’s second-highest scorer with 11 goals, five of which have come from the penalty spot. A 3—5—2 formation with Igor Thiago and Kevin Schade in attack may be seen against winless Wolves. Dango Ouattara and Frank Onyeka will be at the Africa Cup of Nations and shall be available for this fixture.