Wolves Rising: Vítor Pereira’s Men on the Brink of History as They Host Leicester City in a Crucial Clash at Molineux
The narrative of Wolverhampton Wanderers’ 2024/25 season has taken a stunning turn — a transformation so complete that it feels almost surreal for those who witnessed the early struggles. Where once there was uncertainty, now there is clarity. Where there was doubt, there is ambition. And at the centre of it all is a man who has not just steadied the ship, but set it on a course for previously unthinkable heights: Vítor Pereira.
Since taking charge in December, Pereira has orchestrated a revolution at Molineux. Appointed amid rising tension and growing fan concern following the sacking of Gary O’Neil, the Portuguese tactician has revitalized the club. His impact has not only been tactical but psychological, and the transformation on the pitch has been nothing short of breathtaking. Wolves are no longer a side nervously glancing over their shoulder — they are charging forward with purpose and poise.
Their latest result — a 1-0 victory away at Manchester United — sent shockwaves through the Premier League and made it five wins on the bounce. It wasn’t just the win itself, but the manner of it. Wolves were resilient, composed, and efficient. That result lifted them to 15th place in the Premier League, an enormous leap considering where they were just a few months ago — flirting with the drop zone and seemingly out of answers.
And now, with Leicester City visiting Molineux this Saturday, there is more than three points at stake. Wolves are aiming to complete their first league double over the Foxes since the 1957-58 season — a 67-year wait that could finally come to an end.
The Origins of a Revival: Pereira’s Instant Impact
When Vítor Pereira arrived, Wolves had won just four of their opening 17 league games. The squad looked disjointed. Confidence was low. Morale had been eroded by months of inconsistent performances and a sense of tactical identity had been lost. In stepped Pereira — with a clear plan, a calming presence, and a winning mentality.
His first match in charge was fittingly against Leicester City, and it proved to be the catalyst for everything that followed. Wolves romped to a 3-0 victory at the King Power Stadium — a result that lifted the fog surrounding the club and introduced fans to a new-look Wolves. That game was marked by controlled possession, aggressive pressing, and sharp transitions — all hallmarks of Pereira’s philosophy.
From that day forward, Wolves began their ascent. The defence, once leak-prone and chaotic, became compact and intelligent. The midfield evolved into a powerful engine room, while the forward line began to look threatening with every attack. Players who had been underperforming began to thrive under Pereira’s system, while young talents started to emerge with real confidence.
What sets Pereira apart is not just his tactical nous, but his ability to build belief. He’s convinced the players — and increasingly, the supporters — that Wolves can do more than just survive. They can build. They can compete. And, in time, they can challenge.
Saturday’s Showdown: More Than Just a Game
The upcoming clash with Leicester City is loaded with narrative weight. For one, it’s a Midlands derby — a fiercely contested fixture historically. But this time, the stakes are different. Leicester have already been relegated, their fate sealed with a limp defeat to Liverpool that confirmed what had seemed inevitable for weeks. Their fall from grace has been rapid and merciless, and Saturday’s game marks one of their final Premier League appearances before beginning life in the Championship.
To make matters more dramatic, Jamie Vardy — the face of Leicester’s golden era, the hero of their title-winning campaign — has announced he will leave the club at the end of the season. Now 38, Vardy remains a fierce competitor, and Wolves know all too well how dangerous he can be. His goal celebrations against them have often felt personal — mocking, gleeful, and unforgettable. He would love nothing more than to score one final time against Wolves and silence the home crowd.
But this is a different Wolves. This is a team full of belief, structure, and purpose. And they’ll be well aware of the historical opportunity in front of them.
A win would not just extend their unbeaten run to six — it would mark the club’s first league double over Leicester in 67 years. That’s not just a footnote; that’s the kind of milestone that cements a season in memory. It’s the kind of achievement that older fans will tell their grandchildren about. The last time Wolves did it, Harold Macmillan was Prime Minister and Wolves were a major force in English football.
Tactical Edge and Momentum
What makes this fixture all the more promising for Wolves is the momentum — and tactical edge — they hold. Pereira has instilled a pressing structure that unsettles teams who try to play out from the back. Leicester, by contrast, have struggled under pressure and often look vulnerable when asked to retain possession in their own half.
Wolves’ midfield duo — likely to feature João Gomes and Mario Lemina — have been crucial to breaking up play and launching attacks. The backline, marshalled by the ever-reliable Max Kilman and new signing Santiago Bueno, has become one of the most organized defensive units in the bottom half of the table.
Up front, the resurgence of Matheus Cunha and the emergence of young winger Leon Chiwome have added a sharpness to Wolves’ counterattacks. Even set pieces have become a weapon, with Pablo Sarabia and Rayan Aït-Nouri providing quality delivery and goals.
It’s this balance — between defensive solidity and attacking threat — that has allowed Wolves to dominate games they previously struggled in. They’re not just grinding out results; they’re earning them with authority.
The Historical Weight of a Double
To understand why this fixture carries such importance, one must look back. The 1957-58 season saw Wolves beat Leicester home and away — part of a dominant period in the club’s history. Wolves finished third that year and were a powerhouse under Stan Cullis. Leicester, meanwhile, were struggling in the Second Division.
Since then, the two clubs have traded victories, suffered relegations, celebrated promotions, and even flirted with European competition. But never have Wolves managed to win both league fixtures in a season against the Foxes — until now, potentially.
Breaking that 67-year duck would not only be a feather in Pereira’s cap — it would be a symbolic moment for the fanbase. It would represent more than just six points. It would show that Wolves are restoring the pride of a club with a rich, complex, and storied history.
The Road Ahead: What Comes Next for Wolves?
Should Wolves win on Saturday, it would be six consecutive victories — a run that very few predicted, and even fewer believed possible. That would take them closer to the top half of the table and give them serious momentum heading into the summer.
And the implications stretch beyond the league table. A strong finish could give Wolves greater financial leverage in the transfer market. Pereira would be able to make bolder demands to the board. Key players might be more inclined to stay. Exciting talents might be more willing to join.
For a club that has long been a sleeping giant in English football, these are the kinds of moments that reawaken ambition. Wolves fans know what their club is capable of — they’ve seen it before. They’ve seen Wolves in Europe, they’ve seen them beat the biggest clubs, and they know what it feels like to dream big.
Under Vítor Pereira, they’re starting to dream again.
One Game. One Moment. One Chance to Make History.
Saturday’s match against Leicester is more than just the next chapter in this remarkable revival. It is a chance to finish what Pereira started in his very first game. It is an opportunity to exorcise old demons. It is a moment to celebrate progress, unity, and belief.
And if Wolves win — if they complete the double — then perhaps we’ll look back and say: that was the day the new era truly began.
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