Premier League: United and Wolves Aim to Cap Off 2022 With a Win

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Manchester United

Valuable points are up for grabs between Wolves and Manchester United, as they’ll square off for their final Premier League match of the year 2022.

For Manchester United, they need more good Premier League 2022 results since they’re facing stiff competition for a Top 4 berth, while the Wolves are desperate to get out of the relegation zone.

The Red Devils are placed fifth with 29 points following a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest, whereas Wolves have moved up to 18^th with a 2-1 win over Everton on Monday.

This seems like a winnable match for Manchester United, but their recent encounters against Wolves have been tight, so the visitors cannot be complacent at all.

Talking Points

Manchester United rolling despite not at full strength

Following their friendly losses to Cadiz and Real Betis, Manchester United bounced back with back-to-back victories against Burnley in the Carabao Cup and Nottingham Forest last night with a combined tally of 5-0.

The Red Devils were well-represented in World Cup 2022, so not everyone was expected to be back right away.

Against Burnley, Casemiro had to play centre-back since Qatar finalists Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez weren’t available, and Luke Shaw did the same against Nottingham Forest, and both defenders handled their responsibilities well.

But the main spotlight is focused on Marcus Rashford, who’s in the midst of a resurgent season. Erik ten Hag previously mentioned that Rashford can score 20 league goals this term, and he’s on pace to achieve the said feat since he has five thus far.

At Qatar, Rashford was in the World Cup 2022 Golden Boot conversation with three goals for the Three Lions.

Anthony Martial is another player who’s also in superb form since he has been directly involved in five goals in his last six Premier League matches (three goals, two assists) – one more than he managed in his previous 21.

The improvements of Rashford and Martial has ten Hag written all over it. The board should 100-per cent back the manager in the upcoming transfer windows since he’s proven that he’s the gaffer to lead the way.

No time to celebrate for Lopetegui and Wolves

Julen Lopetegui has his work cut out for him at the Molineux, but winning on his Premier League debut is a great first step.

After conceding the first goal against fellow strugglers Everton, Wolves responded well as Daniel Podence scored the equaliser for his third goal of the campaign, and Rayan Ait-Nouri snatched the dramatic late victory with his 95^th minute strike.

Wolves have the lowest-ranked attack in the Premier League with only 10 goals so far this term, so those goals from Podence and Ait-Nouri are a welcome development. It also helps that Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha is going to reinforce the team from Atletico Madrid on loan in January.

With Lopetegui in charge, Wolves fans should be able to look forward with confidence that they can preserve their Premier League status beyond this season.

History

Manchester United have won their last two away Premier League visits against Wolves in May and August 2021, and they could win three consecutive away league games at the Molineux for the first time ever should they win again this New Year’s Eve.

However, the Wolves defeated Manchester United in their previous Premier League meeting at Old Trafford in January with a scoreline of 1-0 as Joao Moutinho netted the late goal. They last won consecutive matches against them between September 1979 and August 1980, where they’ve won three in a row.

After netting nine goals in two meetings versus Wolves in the 2011-12 Premier League season (4-1 at home and 5-0 on the road), the Red Devils have scored just nine goals in their last 11 encounters with them across all competitions.

The Red Devils haven’t lost their final league game in any of their last 10 calendar years (W7, D3), while Wolves have lost just one of their last nine league games played on New Year’s Eve (W4, D4).

Betting Tip 

The SBOTOP Premier League 2022 odds are favouring the visitors, and we’re inclined to do the same. Manchester United are priced at 1.93 to win, while the Wolves are at 3.90 and a draw is at 3.40 in the 1X2 market.

Under 2.50 @ 1.85 is another possibility since their recent meetings have been low-scoring.We’ve seen glimmers of improvement for Wolves following the arrival of Julen Lopetegui last November, but overall, they’re still a few more steps behind Manchester United.

 

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