Sunderland welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Stadium of Light in a clash that brings together a home side with defensive resilience and an away team desperate to reverse a dismal start.
Saturday’s kick-off promises intrigue, as Sunderland look to cement their upper mid-table status, while Wolves chase their first win of the campaign. With just two previous competitive meetings in recent years – and Sunderland yet to concede to Wolves – both sides have plenty riding on this encounter.
Best Bets & Predictions
Based on rock-solid defensive stats for Sunderland and Wolves’ leaky back line, here are our top betting recommendations for this match. We’re particularly confident in Sunderland to win, given their clean sheet record and Wolves’ ongoing struggles at both ends.
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunderland to Win | Bet365 13/10 (43.5%) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Sunderland have started the season wonderfully, taking 11 points from a possible 21 and keeping three clean sheets in their first seven games. The Black Cats have scored an average of a goal a game and conceded less than a goal a game this season. Wolves have struggled this season, picking up just two points and sit bottom of the Premier League. Things aren’t great for Wolves in the head to head stakes either, with no wins in three against Sunderland. |
| Under 2.5 Goals | Betfair 10/11 (52.4%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Both of these sides have been low scorers this season, with Sunderland scoring seven goals in seven games and Wolves managing just five goals. Sunderland have also not seen their defence breached often this season, conceding just six goals all season and their matches have averaged just 1.9 goals per game. |
Odds correct at the time of writing.
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Sunderland vs Wolves match odds
How both teams head into Sunderland vs Wolves
Sunderland come into this game off the back of just their second defeat of the season, a 2-0 loss to Man Utd. It ended a run of four games without a loss for the Black Cats but they’ve maintained their position in the top half of the Premier League table. Impressive wins over West Ham, Brentford and Nottingham Forest have propelled Sunderland to a great start to the season and one they could build on with another result against Wolves.
Wolves really haven’t enjoyed their start to the Premier League campaign, taking just two points from a possible 21 and sitting bottom of the league. Those two points have come in their last two games, with draws against Tottenham and Brighton, and Wolves fans will be hoping they will provide a springboard for the Midlands club to kickstart their season. Goals have been the issue for the side, at both ends of the pitch. They’ve scored just five times, the joint lowest in the top flight, but conceded 14.
Season Form & Standings
Sunderland have made a solid start, sitting 9th with 11 points from 7 matches. Wolves, meanwhile, are rooted to the bottom with just 2 points and a worrying -9 goal difference. Sunderland have built their mid-table platform on defensive discipline, while Wolves have suffered from both a lack of goals and defensive frailties.
| Team | Pos | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunderland | 9 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 11 |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | 20 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 14 | -9 | 2 |
Sunderland team news
Mouhamadou Diarra, Leo Hjelde, Romaine Mundle, Dennis Cirkin and Ajibola Alese are long term absentees and are still a few weeks from returning, whilst there is no return date for Omar Fernandez. Reinildo is suspended following his red card but Noah Sadiki could play some part following an ankle injury.
Wolves team news
Matt Doherty is out following wrist surgery whilst this game comes a little too soon for Leon Chiwome. Toti should be fit enough to return following illness.
Head-to-Head: Last 2 Meetings
There have only been two recent meetings, both in the 2017/18 Championship season. Sunderland remain unbeaten against Wolves in that time, with a win and a draw, and have yet to concede.
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 06/05/18 | Sunderland 3-0 Wolverhampton | Championship |
| 09/12/17 | Wolverhampton 0-0 Sunderland | Championship |
Conclusion
Sunderland’s defensive edge and Wolves’ inability to keep a clean sheet or convert chances point to a home win – but can the Black Cats break through a Wolves side that, despite their league position, boasts creative defenders and a high shot accuracy? Our strongest play is Sunderland to win at 13/10 (Bet365, 43.5% implied).
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.