Wolves v Leeds United preview: Key battle in the fight for survival
They’ll want their fortunes to change as after winning just one of their last five league games (D1, L3), they’re one of many sides embroiled in a hotly-contested battle for survival.
Goals have often been scarce at Molineux, although with Wolves winning three of their last four PL games here ‘to nil’ (L1), maintaining strong home form could keep them away from the bottom three.
Winning three of the last four H2Hs against Leeds on their own turf (L1) should also give them a boost as they look to build on beating Tottenham 1-0 here earlier this month.
Javi Gracia won his first match in charge of Leeds but hasn’t backed it up since (D1, L2) leaving the Yorkshire side in the relegation zone, albeit just four points behind their hosts, so a win here could lift them clear of the bottom three.
They showed fighting qualities in abundance to twice come from behind to draw 2-2 with Brighton time out, so there are signs they have what it takes to survive.
But they‘re without an away league win since beating Liverpool in late October (D2, L5), failing to score in three of the last four of those fixtures, and that Anfield victory remains their only PL road win all season (D3, L9).
However, Gracia remains positive, saying after the Brighton draw that “in all the games we've played before we've created many chances and today, we scored two.
"In the next games, I think we'll do it again.”
Players to watch: Wolves’ Daniel Podence has scored five league goals this season, four of them opening the scoring, including in August’s reverse fixture. Leeds’ Jack Harrison secured a point with his 78th-minute strike against Brighton, also netting after the 60th minute in this fixture last term.
Hot stat: Just two of Wolves’ home PL games this season witnessed both teams scoring - a league-low.
