Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Manchester United
English Premier League, KO: 20:15 Feb 1, 2024, Molineux
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS will be aiming to extend their unbeaten run in the Premier League to five matches when they meet Manchester United at Molineux on Thursday night.
Gary O’Neil’s side triumphed in each of their final three league fixtures of 2023 before bagging a well-deserved point at Brighton last week.
The Old Gold have since secured a place in the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 2-0 win at West Brom, on an afternoon where I delivered a full house at the Hawthorns.
Turning their attention back to league matters this midweek, Wolves will look to continue their charge towards the top-half of the table by claiming top honours against Man United.
Erik ten Hag’s team have won just one of their last six Premier League games, most recently being held to a 2-2 draw when hosting Tottenham Hotspur.
The Red Devils make the trip to Molineux off the back of a far from convincing 4-2 win away at Newport County in the FA Cup on Sunday.
Outright Betting
Wolves, who have avoided defeat in each of their last eight Premier League home games, are 13/8 outsiders (William Hill) while the draw can be backed at 13/5 (William Hill).
Manchester United banked three points in the reverse fixture and they are 11/8 (Bet 365) favourites to repeat the trick on Thursday night.
Betting Angles
My recommended Bet Builder landed in Wolves’ win at West Brom on Sunday and I’m going to support a similar formula here by combining Luke Shaw and Mario Lemina to each commit a foul alongside at least one Pedro Neto shot at 4/5 (PaddyPower.).
United left-back Shaw, who is averaging 1.3 fouls per-game this term, tackling his way into trouble in each of his last four Premier League appearances and that trend could continue here given that his direct opponent is likely to be Pedro Neto.
The Wolves wideman has drawn a minimum of one foul from the opposition in nine of his 12 Premier League appearances this season and the aforementioned Shaw looks United’s most likely candidate to add to that tally on Thursday night.
After putting in another stellar performance on Sunday, I’ll also back Neto to attempt at least one shot during this tussle, something the Portuguese forward has done in all bar one of his 12 top-flight appearances this season so far.
Switching attention to the middle of the park, I’ll round off the 4/5 (PaddyPower) Bet Builder with Wolves’ Mario Lemina to commit a minimum of one foul during this contest
The Gabonese midfielder – who has never been one to shy away from a tackle – is currently averaging 1.4 fouls per-game in the Premier League this season, racking up seven yellow cards and one red in the process.
Given that South American duo Matheus Cunha and Lisandro Martínez are likely to be in direct combat with each other, I'll also chance a 12/1 (UniBet) longshot by throwing some loose change on both to be carded.
Both of these fierce competitors are no stranger to the referees notebook so the hot-headed duo look worthy of a small investment to both be booked at a bold price.
This English Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United will be played on Feb 1, 2024 and kick off at 20:15. Check below for our tipsters best Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Manchester United prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
