Scenario:
Wolves are in 5th position.
Palace are 9 points behind in 13th but have 2 games in hand on us.
Wolves have won just 6 of their 16 games at home this season and haven’t won in the league at the Molineux in 6 games.
Palace have won 4 times on their travels.
What about the opposition?
Palace seem to have slumped slightly since an unjust defeat in the cup-tie to Leeds.
Defeat at Forest and a disappointing 0-0 draw with Sheffield Wednesday last weekend haven’t helped them push for a play-off place.
Danger men are Andy Johnson and Tommy Black, although his recent goalscoring run seems to have come to a halt.
Our old boy Akinbiyi could be in the starting line-up having returned once again from injury.
The team that played last Saturday is different in personnel to the one that thrashed us 4-2 earlier in the season. However, we don’t have Ingimarson even in the squad so hopefully our current eleven is better than the 11 that capitulated at Selhurst Park.
Trevor Francis however, will, as always, be looking to put one over on us – let’s make sure we don’t give him the satisfaction.
Soon to follow for Wolves:
The Ipswich return game on Wednesday at the Molineux.
Southampton in the Cup next Sunday week.
Score Prediction:
Well it really is crunch time for Wolves.
It’s very tight for play-off positions and we need to get as many maximum returns at home with so many tough away fixtures coming up.
With Blakey and Cooper playing full games in the reserves the other night, I doubt they will be considered for comebacks tomorrow.
Instead Jones might revert to using an orthodox right midfielder. Not sure if Newton is fit but he might opt for Proudlock instead.
I don’t think we can play as poorly as we did on Tuesday against Watford. I’m sure Palace will try and frustrate us but they will also want the three points a lot more than Watford did.
Hopefully, an early goal could settle the nerves and allow us to play the way we have shown in patches.
Fingers crossed!
Enjoy the match.
Come on the Wolves!
E-mail me with any comments/feedback to: dave@wolves-mad.co.uk