Wolverhampton Wanderers is set to take on Fulham this Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at Molineux Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 20:30 GMT+1. The battle between these two clubs is pivotal for both, as Wolverhampton finds itself dangerously close to the relegation zone, currently sitting 17th, whilst Fulham eyes the opportunity for European qualification, currently holding the 8th position on the Premier League table.
Wolverhampton has struggled significantly this season and is under pressure to secure points to avoid relegation, especially with teams below them also vying to escape the drop. Notably, they recently conceded the most penalties of all Premier League teams this season, totaling seven, which reflects their precarious defensive situation. With several key players out due to injuries—such as Hee-Chan Hwang, Emmanuel Agbadou, Enso Gonzalez, Jorgen Larsen, Rodrigo Gomes, and Sam Johnstone—the Wolves will have to dig deep to find resilience against Fulham.
The home team is known for its possession-based game, transitioning quickly to counter-attacks when the opportunity arises. Matheus Cunha has emerged as one of the standout performers for Wolverhampton, particularly noted for his remarkable curling goal against Liverpool earlier this season. The predicted lineup for Wolverhampton is as follows: Jose Sa; Matt Doherty, Santiago Bueno, Toti Gomes; Nelson Semedo, Andre, Joao Gomes, Rayan Ait-Nouri; Marshall Munetsi, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde; Cunha.
On the other side, Fulham is coming off four unbeaten matches, adding to their confidence heading to Molineux. Under the guidance of Marco Silva, they have typically relied on wing play to create scoring opportunities, often targeting Raul Jimenez. Key players include Adama Traore, known for his dynamic wing play, and Rodrigo Muniz, who boasts the highest shots on target per match for the team. Fulham's expected lineup includes Bernd Leno; Timothy Castagne, Issa Diop, Joachim Andersen, Jorge Cuenca; Sasa Lukic, Sander Berge; Adama Traore, Andreas Pereira, Ryan Sessegnon; Muniz.
The Wolves are aiming to break their streak of mixed performances since Vítor Pereira's appointment, hoping the home environment can bolster their chances of securing valuable points. Notably, Wolverhampton has not lost any of their eight Premier League home games against Fulham, with the record standing at six wins and two draws (Reported by The Independent).
This fixture has often leaned toward Wolverhampton, who have remained unbeaten against Fulham at Molineux over the last 15 league matches since 1985, when they suffered their last defeat on home ground against the Cottagers.
Fans and analysts alike are anticipating this match with varying expectations. Some speculate on Wolverhampton’s home turf advantage being enough to earn them at least one point, as they attempt to push out of the relegation mire. Betting odds reflect this precarious nature, with Wolverhampton’s odds set at 2.91 against Fulham’s at 2.37, with the draw at 3.46. Betting experts have tipped Fulham to either win or draw, with odds at 1.436 for this suggestion. The expectation is also for the total score to exceed two goals with associated odds of 1.45 (22Bet).
With all these factors at play, Wolverhampton aims to exploit Fulham’s momentary weaknesses, capitalizing on their defensive setups. Cunha remains the primary threat for the Wolves, posing significant danger with his attacking capabilities, whilst Traore is seen as equally dangerous for Fulham, expected to capitalize on any lapses from the opposition.
The match not only bears importance for the points at stake but also the momentum each team can carry forward post-game. A loss for Wolverhampton might plunge them closer to relegation threats, whilst Fulham might solidify their position closer to European competition.
Fans can follow the action live exclusively on Peacock, beginning just before kickoff.
The upcoming clash embodies not just the fight for points but entwines the ambitions of both struggling and thriving teams as the season edges forward.