Wolves vs Fulham: Premier League Preview

Wolverhampton Wanderers return to Premier League action tomorrow night against Fulham, looking to build on their hard-fought 1-0 victory over Bournemouth last weekend. That win moved Wolves five points clear of the relegation zone and provided a much-needed confidence boost as they approach the final stretch of the season.

Wolves’ Win Over Bournemouth & Zabarnyi Red Card Controversy

Wolves’ victory at the Vitality Stadium came in dramatic fashion, with Matheus Cunha scoring the only goal of the game. However, a major talking point was Illia Zabarnyi’s red card for a challenge on Rayan Aït-Nouri. While Wolves capitalized on their numerical advantage, the sending-off sparked debate among pundits and fans alike.

Prominent analysts such as Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, and Danny Murphy felt the red card was harsh. Nonetheless, Wolves took advantage of the situation and found the breakthrough shortly after, securing three crucial points.

Matheus Cunha: Wolves’ Key Player

The match-winning goal against Bournemouth marked Cunha’s fourth consecutive Premier League game with a goal, taking his season tally to 14 goals in all competitions. The Brazilian forward is in the form of his life, and his influence on this Wolves side is undeniable.

Cunha is now rapidly closing in on Wolves’ record for most goals in a single Premier League season, held by Raúl Jiménez, who netted 17 times in the 2019/20 campaign. Given his current scoring streak, many believe he has a strong chance of surpassing that milestone.

Marco Silva’s Take on Cunha & Wolves’ Quality

Ahead of tomorrow’s match, Fulham manager Marco Silva was asked about Matheus Cunha’s impact and whether his side would be making special plans to stop him. While acknowledging Cunha’s talent, Silva was quick to emphasize the overall quality of Wolves’ squad and the dangers posed by multiple players.

“He’s a top player. We, of course, when looking for Wolves, we don’t look just for Matheus, definitely, because it’s not fair with them, because they have a lot of international players around the squad and the XI.”

“Three of them are international Brazilian football players. Two wing-backs that are internationals and top-quality players too, and more quality players around the place.”

“It is not fair [to only talk about Cunha], but we have to be realistic as well, that he’s a player who in any moment of the game can be decisive, can score, can assist.”

Silva’s comments highlight his respect for Wolves as a collective unit rather than focusing solely on Cunha.

Cunha’s Goalscoring Record Against Fulham

Wolves fans will be optimistic about Cunha continuing his excellent run of form against Fulham. The Brazilian forward has faced the Cottagers three times since joining Wolves and has scored in every single one of those games.

He netted twice in the reverse fixture this season, helping Wolves secure a 4-1 win at Craven Cottage.

He also provided an assist in that match, further showcasing his ability to impact games beyond just scoring.

Last season, he was on the scoresheet in Wolves’ 3-2 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Given this strong record, Fulham will need to be extra cautious when dealing with Cunha in this fixture.

Team News & Potential Lineups

Wolves will once again be without Gonçalo Guedes and Hwang Hee-chan, both of whom are expected to return in game-week 28. Their absence will put more responsibility on the likes of Cunha and Pedro Neto in the attack.

For Fulham, Emile Smith Rowe and Tom Cairney remain doubts after picking up knocks in their previous match. If unavailable, Fulham could look to Andreas Pereira or Alex Iwobi to step up in the midfield.

Match Implications

A win for Wolves would further solidify their position in mid-table, easing any lingering relegation fears. Fulham, on the other hand, will be hoping to close the gap on teams above them and push toward a top-half finish.

With Cunha in red-hot form and Wolves finding some defensive solidity, the Molineux faithful will be expecting another strong performance. However, Fulham’s quality, particularly in midfield and attack, makes them a dangerous opponent.

Kickoff is set for tomorrow night, and all eyes will be on whether Matheus Cunha can extend his scoring streak and edge closer to breaking Wolves’ Premier League goal record.