Wolverhampton Wanderers welcome Tottenham Hotspur to the Molineux for a scintillating Premier League clash that is sure to get fans off their seats.
The West Midlands is the setting when Tottenham visit Wolves, looking to continue their fantastic start to the 2023/24 season, with three points at stake. Adama Traore found the net for the game’s only goal the last time these sides met at the Molineux.
Now, Spurs are joint-top of the standings and unbeaten in the league after last season’s struggles, but both clubs are evenly matched with two wins apiece and a draw from their previous five meetings in all competitions.
Wolves were confused when Julen Lopetgui left due to disputes with the board on the eve of the campaign; in came Gary O’Neil, who had also sensationally left Bournemouth after keeping them in the top flight.
The 40-year-old became the club’s first English-born manager since 2016 but only had four days to prepare for his debut game. O’Neil’s first two outings ended in tough defeats to Manchester United and Brighton before they got their first win via an 87th-minute header from Sasa Kalajdzic at Everton.
Late goals remained their undoing in the next couple of games against both Crystal Palace and Liverpool. However, things have turned around since then as results finally matched their performances in the 1-1 at Luton Town, 2-1 win at home to Manchester City and another point with a man down against rivals Aston Villa.
Being the first team to beat the reigning champions has restored the belief in the West Midlands, and they will be relishing challenges against the very best teams in the country.
Having been a very timid side in front of goal last term, O’Neil has instilled more bite across the team as they are more proactive and produce among the highest tackles made, won, and possession regains in the Premier League.
This throws up a potentially spectacular face-off with Ange Postecoglou’s revitalized Spurs.
The Lilywhites have had a difficult couple of years with managerial appointments but have struck gold in the charismatic Australian manager. Tottenham finished a single point out of the European places in eighth position after a season during which three different coaches had taken charge of the first team.
Fortunes have surpassed expectations this term as Spurs clicked right from the off, with Postecoglou overseeing some exhilarating attacking football.
An opening-day draw at Brentford was followed by consecutive 2-0 victories over Manchester United and Bournemouth. Winning 5-2 at Burnley and 2-1 against Sheffield United due to two added-time strikes shone the attention firmly at the Tottenham Stadium, and they have proved they can contend this season with the draw against Arsenal and a controversial late win versus Liverpool.
Despite being a man down for long periods, the defeat of Luton is proof of their overall resilience, and they will not be beaten easily this term. Spurs can keep up this momentum, and Wolves are a good test of those chances.
Notably, the Black Country club have been very porous at the back, with only one clean sheet all season; they are a side that Spurs would repeatedly look to break open.
Yet, Wolves will back themselves to find the net, too, making it a game for the most clinical.
Match tickets
The Molineux Stadium is the venue for this Premier League encounter, which is scheduled for Saturday, 11 November 2023, with kick-off set for 1:30 PM UK time. Tickets to attend the game are available for sale on each club’s site, but they are expected to be sold out given the mood around Wolves and the fact that a sensational game awaits.
The home fans will make it a unique atmosphere as usual, and they will look forward to a very winnable match against the North Londoners. Hence, Wolves vs Tottenham tickets should be challenging to purchase via official channels.
Supporters who still want in on the action may be lucky to buy an entry on a reliable ticket resale site.
Team news
Influential midfielder Mario Lemina will be back from his suspension in a sure boost for the home side, whose chances are better with the Gabon international patrolling the engine room alongside Joao Gomes.
Spanish left-back Hugo Bueno is also expected to have returned from a thigh injury for Wolves.
Bryan Gil and Giovani Lo Celso recently returned from injuries, while Spurs can call upon Yves Bissouma again after his sending-off versus Luton Town.
Ivan Perisic, Rodrigo Bentancur, Manor Solomon, Ryan Sessegnon, Alfie Whiteman, and Brennan Johnson are all injured, with most unlikely to be available against Wolves.
Line-ups
The 3-4-3 system has served Wolves well, and their upturn in results coincided with the tweak in shape. O’Neil has found the right balance, which allows his side to maximize their new-found attacking threat.
Amongst the most significant benefactors are Hee-Chan Hwang, who became the first Wolves player to be directly involved in a goal in five consecutive Premier League home games. Pedro Neto is back to his best after recovering from an ACL injury and currently tops the assists chart in the league.
Wolves: Sa; Kilman, Dawson, Toti; Semedo, Gomes, Lemina, Ait-Nouri; Neto, Cunha, Hwang
James Maddison has been a revelation in the white shirt of Tottenham and he is one to keep an eye on in this game with all of his first seven Premier League goal involvements for the club coming away from home.
Spurs captain Heung-Min Son is also in form, and he would be a livewire for the home defence to keep tabs on throughout the match.
Tottenham: Vicario; Porro, Van de Ven, Romero, Udogie; Bissouma, Sarr; Kulusevski, Maddison, Richarlison; Son
Prediction
There has been a clean sheet for the winning team in all of the last five league encounters between Wolves and Tottenham, but the Wanderers are near certain to be on the scoresheet given they have scored in 11 successive Premier League home games.
This contest will be decided in the forward areas rather than in defence, meaning Tottenham have the upper hand to outgun their hosts.
Wolves 1-2 Tottenham
