As Wolves gear up to face Brentford on Saturday, they are keen to secure their first victory of the Premier League season. Under the management of Gary O'Neil, the team has faced a disheartening start, collecting only one point from their opening six matches. This poor performance echoes the club's previous experience in the 2003-04 season, which saw them finish at the bottom of the league table. In their last outing, Wolves suffered a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool, adding to the pressure as they prepare for another challenging match against Brentford.
Gary O'Neil remains optimistic, believing that a single win could spark a turnaround for the team. He feels that the squad has been performing well enough to deserve better outcomes, despite the difficult fixtures they have encountered against formidable opponents like Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Aston Villa. O'Neil stated, "The lads always show that they're not a group that can't bounce back. When we lost to Arsenal, we went full throttle against Chelsea. Then we went full throttle against Newcastle and we suffered a late defeat. We go to Aston Villa, and we go again. We're ready to go again, and that will always be the case." This determination reflects the spirit within the camp, as they seek to convert their performances into points.
On the other side, Brentford currently occupies the 12th spot in the league with seven points, having drawn their last match 1-1 against West Ham. Goalkeeper Mark Flekken has shown notable improvement this season, following a challenging start after joining from Freiburg last year. Flekken aims to establish himself as a reliable figure for coach Thomas Frank throughout the season, expressing his desire to replicate the performances he delivered in the latter half of last season over the entire campaign. He emphasized, "I want to put in the same performances that I did during the second half of last season, but over the full year," highlighting his commitment to crucial saves when needed.
Brentford's attack is spearheaded by Bryan Mbeumo, a player to watch closely. His recent goal against West Ham marked his 48th Premier League involvement for the club, solidifying his status as their top contributor with 27 goals and 21 assists. Mbeumo is aiming to score in three consecutive league matches for the first time since December 2019, making him a key player in Brentford's offensive strategy. Meanwhile, Wolves will rely on Matheus Cunha to bolster their attack. The Brazilian forward has been instrumental, leading the team in shots (16), chances created (nine), touches in the opposition box (25), and passes into the box (30) this season.
As predictions favor Brentford, recalling their 2-0 victory over Wolves in February, the Wolves have a solid history in West London, remaining unbeaten in their last five away league games against Brentford, with three wins and two draws. Additionally, Wolves have won three of their last four Premier League away games against London teams, although they did lose their only visit this season to Arsenal (0-2). However, the team faces challenges, having conceded 16 goals from just 9.8 expected goals against this term, highlighting defensive vulnerabilities that they need to address.
Brentford must be cautious, particularly if they take an early lead, as they have dropped a league-high 38 points from winning positions since the start of last season, including eight points this year alone. The Opta win probability currently suggests Brentford holds a 47.4% chance of winning, while Wolves sit at 27.9%, and a draw is rated at 24.8%. With both teams eager for improvement and points on the line, this match promises to be an exciting encounter as they clash on Saturday.
