Wolves' top-six ambitions will be tested when they host Manchester United in the first Monday Night Football clash of the season.
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1pt Wolves to draw with Man Utd at 12/5
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Wolves v Man United
- 2000 BST on Sky Sports Premier League
We'll have a lot better idea of exactly what this Manchester United side is capable of after they face a trip to Molineux, where they lost twice last season as part of a three-game unbeaten streak Wolves ran up on them.
Their 4-0 beating of Chelsea was flattering in the extreme, but it's important to note how those final three goals came about - from quick counter-attacks utilising the blistering pace of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard - and you can throw in new signing Daniel James for good measure.
The blueprint, then, is clear for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this season - shore up at the back with Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan Bissaka added to the rearguard, then transition quickly with their jet-heeled attackers - hopefully from Solskjaer's point of view using Paul Pogba's range of long passes to spring them free.
Wolves, amazingly, have to play on Monday and Thursday this week due to their Europa League progress, which has been smooth sailing so far and has shown just how far they've come in a short space of time - a point also illustrated by the fact they'll feel they have a squad capable of challenging on both fronts this season.
Nuno Espirito Santo's side are just starting to turn Molineux into a bit of a fortress with their unbeaten run stretching to eight league games, and despite United being well equipped to play on the break, Wolves are a savvy outfit and will be careful not to leave themselves open to that.
Wolves aren't scared of playing a patient possession game, and United look more secure at the back with Maguire at the heart of the defence - so with these factors in mind and with the game coming so early in the season you fancy that a point would suit both sides.
Prediction: Wolves 1-1 Man Utd (Sky Bet odds 5/1)
Best bet: Wolves to draw with Man Utd at 12/5
Is Maguire the man for Man Utd?
Opta facts
- Wolves lost none of their three games against Manchester United in all competitions last season (W2 D1 L0), winning both of their games at Molineux against the Red Devils.
- In the Premier League, Wolves are one of only four teams Man Utd have faced away from home five or more times and lost more games than they’ve won (W2 D0 L3), along with Chelsea, Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday.
- Man Utd lost 2-3 to Brighton in their first away league match last season – they haven’t done so in consecutive seasons since 1980-81 and 1981-82, with one of those defeats coming against Wolves.
- Wolves are unbeaten in eight Premier League home games (W6 D2), a run which includes a victory over Manchester United. Wolves are looking to win three consecutive top-flight games at Molineux for the first time since November 1980.
- Manchester United are winless in their last four Premier League away games (D1 L3). They last had a longer such run on the road between April-November 2014 (seven games under David Moyes, Ryan Giggs and Louis van Gaal).
- Wolves have never won a Premier League game on a Monday in five previous attempts (D1 L4). Only Hull (10) have played more Monday games in the competition without winning.
- Manchester United have won more Premier League games on a Monday than any other side (43). In fact, they’ve won 68% of their Monday games in the competition (43/63), the highest win rate for any team on a specific day of the week (min. 10 games on that day).
- Ole Gunnar Solskjær has lost all three of his games against Wolves in all competitions – as well as two defeats with Man Utd last season, he lost with Cardiff City in August 2014.
- Wolves’ Raúl Jiménez was involved in seven Premier League goals against ‘big six’ sides last season (4 goals, 3 assists). Only Sergio Aguero (9) and Raheem Sterling (8) were involved in more.
- Anthony Martial has scored 49 goals for Manchester United in all competitions, more than any other player at the club in that time. He could become the 53rd player to reach a half-century for the club.
Odds correct as of 1630 BST on 16/08/19
