Premier League | Gameweek 28

Mar 8, 2025 at 8pm UK

Molineux Stadium

Wolves vs Everton

Match preview

Think back to just a few weeks ago when Wolves benefited from the dismissal of Bournemouth's Ilya Zabarnyi to claim a 1-0 Premier League victory at the Vitality Stadium. However, with a place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on the line, Pereira's men were on the wrong end of both the red card and the result.

After 120 minutes of breathless action, capped by Matheus Cunha's meltdown and subsequent dismissal following his inexplicable outburst at Milos Kerkez, Wolves' knockout adventure came to an end when Matt Doherty and Boubacar Traore failed to convert from the spot.

As painful as the Old Gold's fifth-round exit may have been, Pereira and co can now turn their full attention to the relegation battle, with Saturday's hosts far from out of the woods.

Wolves' 2-1 home defeat to Fulham in week 27 leaves them just five points above Leicester City and Ipswich Town in the dreaded drop zone, and with upcoming opponents Everton a whopping 10 points better off, their 17th-placed position is unlikely to improve any time soon.

The latest defeat to Fulham was another classic case of the Toffees' inability to respond to adversity in front of their own fans, as they have now lost nine of their last 10 Premier League home games in which they have conceded the first goal and drawn the other.

Having thrown away a two-goal lead against Manchester United a couple of weekends ago, it was Everton's turn to come from behind at the Gtech Community Stadium on 26 February, with Jake O'Brien back to his goalscoring best.

The towering Toffees defender, who was always a threat in the penalty area during his time at Lyon, cancelled out Yoane Wissa's opener to extend Everton's fabulous unbeaten run under Moyes, who has now overseen a seven-match unbeaten run in the Premier League.

Not since the Ronald Koeman era of 2016-17 have Everton gone eight games unbeaten in the English top-flight, where their 16th-placed position may look precarious at first glance, but they have built up an incredibly healthy 15-point lead over the relegation places.

Aside from the 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Man United, the Toffees have been adept at keeping things tight at the back on the road, conceding a goal or less in 10 of their last 11 Premier League away games, including each of their last six.

Speaking of 4-0 scorelines, Everton remarkably put a quartet of goals past Wolves without reply in their December showdown at Goodison Park, meaning the Toffees could now complete just their second Premier League double against the Old Gold, having done so for the first time in the COVID-affected 2020-21 season.

Recent Performance

Wolverhampton Wanderers Premier League form:LLWLWL

Wolverhampton Wanderers form (all competitions):WWLWLL

Everton Premier League form:WWDWDD

Everton form (all competitions):WLDWDD

Team News

Wolves' star player Cunha lost his temper in a recent incident. He seemed to strike out, kick, and move his head menacingly towards Bournemouth's Kerkez. As a result, he now commences a three - match ban for violent conduct. This ban could potentially be extended as the Football Association (FA) has charged him with improper behavior.

To fill Cunha's spot in the starting XI, either Marshall Munetsi or the recently fit Hwang Hee - chan are likely candidates. Goncalo Guedes, who has recovered from a knee issue, is also an option.

Rodrigo Gomes (groin) and Emmanuel Agbadou (thigh) are in a similar situation as Guedes, having recently recovered. However, Sasa Kalajdzic (knee), Yerson Mosquera (knee), Enso Gonzalez (knee), and Leon Chiwone (knee) are still sidelined.

As for Everton, Abdoulaye Doucoure was absent from the squad that faced Brentford due to the birth of his son. Now, he has rejoined the squad and is set to make a quick return on Saturday.

The attacking pair Armando Broja (ankle) and Dominic Calvert - Lewin (thigh) are reportedly nearing their comebacks. Nevertheless, this Saturday's game will be too early for them, as well as for Iliman Ndiaye (knee), Dwight McNeil (knee), and Orel Mangala (knee). Seamus Coleman has only a very slim chance of being available.

Carlos Alcaraz took advantage of Doucoure's absence to perform well in the draw against Brentford. So, if the Frenchman, Doucoure, is to be reinstated immediately, it will probably be at the expense of the less impactful Jesper Lindstrom.

Possible starting lineup

Wolverhampton Wanderers possible starting lineup:

Sa; Doherty, Bueno, Toti; Semedo, Gomes, Andre, Ait-Nouri; Sarabia, Munetsi; Larsen

Everton possible starting lineup:

Pickford; O'Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Garner, Gueye; Alcaraz, Doucoure, Harrison; Beto