Match Preview
Wolverhampton Wanderers vrs Fulham
Premier League Match Day 04 2021 at Molineux Stadium
Sunday 4th October 2020 KO: 14:00
Referee:
Lee Mason (Lancashire)
Live on Sky
|
Fulham visit Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on Sunday afternoon looking to bounce back from suffering three successive defeats in all competitions.
The Cottagers travel to the West Midlands having suffered 3-0 defeats to Aston Villa and Brentford this week, piling the pressure on manager Scott Parker.
Parker will be placing emphasis on a considerable improvement in their performances before contemplating the need to keep in touch with their rivals.
An array of incomings, something which Parker was initially against, has destabilised what appeared to be a united squad when they won the Championship playoffs in August.
There can be no doubting that Fulham are aiming high in the transfer market, particularly when players such as Milan Skriniar are being linked with a move to Craven Cottage.
Nuno Espirito Santo has acknowledged that Wolves will attempt to move away form a counter-attacking style this season, instead placing more emphasis on being proactive with their play.
However, his squad are currently struggling to adapt to the switch in approach, netting just once and conceding seven times during their last three matches in all competitions.
The manner of their 4-0 defeat at West Ham United felt like an important moment for Nuno and his players, who must now find a way to respond positively when they are expected to challenge for the top six.
With Fulham, Leeds United, Newcastle United and Crystal Palace to come in succession, the fixture list is there for Wolves to get back on track throughout October.
That said, with tougher games theoretically to come later in the year, the stakes are naturally higher as they bid to move up the standings this weekend.
-
Wolves have lost only one of the past 10 league meetings, a 2-0 defeat at Craven Cottage in the Championship in February 2018.
-
There has not been an away victory in their 10 Premier League encounters.
-
Fulham have only once lost their opening four top-flight games of a season - they were relegated at the end of that 1951-52 campaign.
-
The last four sides to start a Premier League campaign with four consecutive defeats all avoided relegation that season, most recently West Ham in 2018-19.
-
Fulham have conceded 10 goals in their three matches. The Premier League record for most goals conceded in a club's opening four fixtures of a season is 14, set by Swindon Town in 1993 and equalled by Southampton in 2012.
-
The Cottagers have conceded at least twice in 17 of their 21 Premier League matches since January 2019.
-
Fulham and Sheffield United are the only sides yet to take the lead in a Premier League game so far this season.
-
Wolves suffered their heaviest Premier League defeat since March 2012 by losing 4-0 at West Ham last Sunday.
-
They could lose both of their opening two home matches of a top-flight season for only the third time.
-
Nuno Espirito Santo's side have lost five of their past nine league fixtures (W3, D1).
-
Wolves are in danger of conceding three or more goals in three consecutive Premier League matches for the first time since March-April 2004.
-
They are unbeaten in seven Premier League home games against promoted sides since a 0-3 loss against QPR in September 2011.
-
Santo and Scott Parker were opposition players when Porto won 2-1 at home to Chelsea in the Champions League group stage in December 2004.