Man United welcome a Wolves side destined for the Championship to Old Trafford tonight as they look to finish the calendar year with a statement win.
Performances have been improved for Man United throughout this campaign and results have been steadier than last year with Ruben Amorim’s side managing to defeat Newcastle 1-0 on Boxing Day, courtesy of a first-half volley scored by Patrick Dorgu.
Wolves have been woeful throughout this season, even with Rob Edwards coming in in mid-November. Their 2-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield means that they remain on two points and genuinely fearful of breaking the all-time lowest points tally in the Premier League.
Can Man United aid their push for Champions League qualification with a win, or will Wolves spring a major surprise at Old Trafford? AllSportsPeople brings you all the latest football tips for this clash.
Man United vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers Prediction
The best performances for Wolves under Rob Edwards have come away at two other members of the so-called ‘big six’ with hard-fought 2-1 defeats away to Liverpool and league leaders Arsenal.
United will, therefore, be a bit wary of being caught off guard here. We expect them to win, but Wolves might make it a bit awkward.
Only Burnley and West Ham have higher expected goals conceded (xGC) than Wolves' 29.38 from 18 matches. Man City and Arsenal are the only teams with higher expected goals scored (xG) than United's 35.35.
Score Prediction: Man United 2-1 Wolves (8.42 with Dafabet)
Head-to-Head: Man United vs. Wolves
- The most recent outing between these two sides came just a few weeks ago as United hammered Wolves 4-1 at Molineux in what was a woeful performance from the hosts.
- However, Wolves did the double over the Red Devils last season with a Pablo Sarabia free-kick separating the teams at Old Trafford in April.
- Overall, the two teams have clashed on 116 occasions with Man United having come out on top in 57 matches and Wolves winning 39 of those games.
Man United vs. Wolves: Form Guide
Man United – Last 5 matches (All competitions)
- Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle United (Premier League)
- Aston Villa 2-1 Manchester United (Premier League)
- Manchester United 4-4 AFC Bournemouth (Premier League)
- Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-4 Manchester United (Premier League)
- Manchester United 1-1 West Ham United (Premier League)
Wolves – Last 5 matches (All competitions)
- Liverpool 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers (Premier League)
- Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-2 Brentford (Premier League)
- Arsenal 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers (Premier League)
- Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-4 Manchester United (Premier League)
- Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-1 Nottingham Forest (Premier League)
Man United vs. Wolves Betting Tips
Playing away from home against one of the ‘bigger’ team does appear to simplify things for Wolves, with their game plan being to be really tight and sit back, breaking the game as much as possible.
As a result, they can make things very frustrating to watch for the neutral with a fair few fouls and so backing either Joao Gomes and Andre to be carded look strong bets. Only Cristian Romero (seven) has more yellows than Gomes (six) in the Premier League.
Man United vs. Wolves Team News
Man United Team News
- Man United are one of many teams dealing with absentees due to CAF Africa Cup of Nations, with Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo away with Morocco, the Ivory Coast and Cameroon, respectively.
- Bruno Fernandes picked up an injury just before Christmas and the Portugal international midfielder, and club captain, remains unavailable for this one.
- Defensive duo Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire are both working their way back to full fitness but remain major doubts for this one.
Wolves Team News
- Like United, Wolves also have an AFCON absentee, with Emmanuel Agbadou away with the Ivorians while Zimbabwe captain Marshall Munetsi is missing through injury.
- Jean-Ricner Bellegarde had found some form, even scoring against United the other week, but the Haiti international attacking midfielder is now sidelined for the visitors.
- As well as the absence of Bellegarde, Wolves also have a few other injury issues, such as fringe players Daniel Bentley and Leon Chiwone, as well as Toti and Rodrigo Gomes.
Man United vs. Wolves Lineups: Predicted Starting XI’s
This is how we think the two teams will lineup at Old Trafford tonight, with Joshua Zirkzee waiting in the wings to replace Mason Mount who picked up a knock against Newcastle on Boxing Day.
Man United predicted lineup to play Wolves
Lammens (GK) – Dalot, Heaven, Martinez, Shaw – Casemiro, Ugarte – Dorgu, Zirkzee, Cunha – Sesko
- Out: De Ligt, Maguire, Mazraoui, Mainoo, Diallo, Fernandes, Mbeumo
- Doubtful: Mount
- Suspension: N/A
Wolves predicted lineup to play Man United
Sa (GK) – Mosquera, S. Bueno, Krejci – Doherty, Andre, J. Gomes, H. Bueno – Hwang, Mane, Arokodare
- Out: Bentley, Toti, Agbadou, Munetsi, Chiwone, R. Gomes, Bellegarde
- Doubtful: N/A
- Suspension: N/A
Man United vs. Wolves Odds
- Man United to win: 1.38 with Dafabet
- Wolves to win: 8.23
- Draw: 5.29
How to watch: Man United vs. Wolves Live Stream, TV Channel
- Date: Wednesday, December 31
- Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester, England
- Time: 1:45 a.m. IST
- TV/Stream: JioHotstar