Rob Edwards returns as Wolves seek maiden season win.
Following a replacement at the helm, Wolves take on Palace hoping to pick up a maiden-season victory and put an end to a four-game losing run. Wolves vs. Crystal Palace kicks off at 15:00 [GMT] on Saturday, November 22, at the Molineux.
The mood around Molineux is increasingly tense. Wolves [DLLLL] remain winless after 11 league matches, a run that evokes memories of their difficult 1983–84 campaign when they failed to win any of their first 12. While going this long without victory often signals relegation danger, history offers a glimmer of hope: three teams have survived after failing to win their first 12 Premier League games, including Newcastle United as recently as 2021–22. Still, Wolves must improve quickly. They made a strong start to this Premier League matchup historically, winning three of the first five meetings, but since then they have managed just one victory in their last nine against the Eagles. They have conceded exactly three goals in each of their last three league matches — a 3–2 defeat to Burnley followed by 3–0 losses to Fulham and Chelsea. The last time they shipped three or more in four straight league games was back in 1985. Rob Edwards will be hoping to avoid equalling that record following his return to the club, having served as interim manager in 2016. A 4—3—3 formation with Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Arias, and Larsen in attack is expected against Palace.
Crystal Palace [LDLWD], meanwhile, arrive with mixed form. They have lost their last two Premier League away matches, equalling the total number of away defeats they suffered in their previous 18. Not since February 2024 have they lost three consecutive league games on the road, so Oliver Glasner will be keen to avoid slipping into a downward away trend. Defensively, Palace remain strong: only Arsenal and Manchester City have conceded fewer goals this season. Palace, in fact, boasts their highest Premier League win rate against any opponent they have faced more than ten times, winning 57% of their games against Wolves. On a personal note, Ismaïla Sarr is Palace’s top scorer across all competitions with eight goals, though his Premier League tally remains modest, with most of his goals coming in cup competitions. Even so, he will be looking to make a mark on Saturday. However, with Wolves desperate for a first win and Palace aiming to avoid a third straight away defeat, this match carries significant weight for both sides — though form and defensive resilience make Palace slight favourites heading in. A 3—4—2—1 formation with Mateta in attack is expected against Wolves.