Two sides who suffered defeats last week meet at Molineux with Wolves looking to end a run of five straight defeats against Swansea with this game meaning the two teams have met each other in every division.
Mick McCarthy’s men have failed to register a Premier League victory since 21st August when they beat Fulham 2-0 and dared to fill their supporters minds with new found optimism. They rose to second on that day but have plummeted since finding themselves 16th in the table and lacking confidence. Their current run of five defeats on the trot is their worst in 27 years. The last time they lost six games in succession was in the 1991/92 and they ended up being relegated. McCarthy has real problems all over the field at the moment but will need to get his side scoring regularly if they are to avoid a relegation battle. Wanderers have managed only six goals in their eight games so far this campaign despite possessing the attacking talents of Kevin Doyle, Steven Fletcher and Sylvain Ebanks-Blake. Injuries to the latter pair have counted against Wolves but with Matt Jarvis and Steven Hunt on the wings they should be hitting the back of the net more often. They’ve also failed to score in the first half of their last six league games coinciding with the sudden downturn in form. They’ve also become weaker defensively despite the addition of Roger Johnson in the summer and with games against Chelsea, Everton and Manchester City on the horizon they’ll need to tighten up.
Swansea on the other hand will be content with the start they have made in their maiden season in the top flight. Brendan Rodgers has got the Swans competing and playing some attractive football but will know that will only get his side so far. Their form on the road is the worst in the Premier League losing all four of their fixtures away from the Liberty Stadium. In fact they haven’t won a top flight game away from home in 26 attempts. Despite that they have become more prolific in front of goal scoring seven goals in the last four game after failing to find the back of the net in their opening four. Scott Sinclair and record signing Danny Graham have started to discover their scoring touch in the top division giving the Swans a threat up front. Rodgers will need to get more out of his side away from home if they are to survive this season and it will be a tough task in the Midlands considering they haven’t won at Molineux since 1985.
Key Players
Matt Jarvis – With Kevin Doyle ploughing alone up front the role Jarvis plays in supplying and supporting the Irishman has taken on a greater significance. His weaving runs down the wing and quality deliveries are needed more than ever if Wolves are to start winning games again.
Scott Sinclair – As always Sinclair is the focal point of the Swansea side with his pace and goalscoring prowess making him a threat to any side. Struggled to get to grips with the step up after promotion but he’s started to score goals again and his confidence has shot up. Will prove a handful to the Wolves defence.
Prediction: 1-1
Wolves covered 12km in that game, with Karl Henry responding to a controversial week of criticism from fans by covering more ground than any other player on the pitch (12.403km) Matt Jarvis remains Wolves’ top ranked player in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index in 56th place, followed closely by Stephen Ward in 59th place Swansea keeper Michel Vorm has stated that playing for Swansea is aiding his international ambitions, and despite conceding three against Norwich Vorm is the 9th ranked goalkeeper in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index having made 39 saves in 8 appearances Neil Taylor won 7 tackles in the game against Norwich, more than any Swansea player has in a single game this season
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