Wolves vs Arsenal Prediction: Hosts are in crisis

Wolverhampton Wanderers' fight for survival in the Premier League is getting harder with each passing week. Monday's 3-1 defeat at Chelsea marked three losses on the spin in the top flight and the players look disoriented and dejected. They're back in action at Molineux on Saturday (15:00) as they welcome Arsenal.

The Gunners blew a two-goal lead at home to draw 2-2 with Aston Villa a week ago, which leaves them six points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand on Mikel Arteta's side. Read on for my Wolves vs Arsenal prediction, accompanied by the latest match odds and team news.

Wolves vs Arsenal Odds

Wolves have lost their last three fixtures in the league, as well as three of their past four encounters at Molineux. They are 11/2 to put a dent in Arsenal's title charge on Saturday.

The Gunners have drawn three of their previous four outings in all competitions (including the FA Cup tie with Manchester United which went to extra time), so the stalemate is on offer at 100/30 here.

Arsenal are 4/9 to come away with the three points, which they have managed in three of their last five away trips in the Premier League. It's 21/10 (which has an implied probability of 32.3%) for them to win and both teams to score, which does look enticing seeing as the visitors have failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last nine away matches in the top flight.

Kai Havertz has scored in his last two appearances in all competitions ahead of this clash in the West Midlands, and he also netted against the Old Gold in the reverse fixture at the Emirates on the opening day of the campaign. He is the 6/4 (40%) favourite to score anytime this time around.

Football Odds

Team News

Wolves will be keeping a close eye on defender Toti Gomes (thigh), who has missed the last four league games. There is hope that he could be available for selection at the weekend to boost Vitor Pereira's defensive options.

Sasa Kalajdzic, Yerson Mosquera, Enso Gonzalez and Boubacar Traore all remain sidelined with knee issues. Midfielder Mario Lemina has been left out of the squad for the past two matches because of his attitude, with Pereira stating that he is contemplating a move away from Molineux this month.

Lemina started the campaign as the captain, which was taken from him and given to Nelson Semedo in December by former boss Gary O'Neil. This whole situation sums up the turgid situation Wolves are in right now.

Star man Matheus Cunha came under fire for his body language at Stamford Bridge from his manager and fans alike. A few weeks ago it was reported that the Brazilian was signing a new deal with Wolves, but so far that agreement is not legally binding.

Arsenal are a club reportedly interested in the attacker, while Champions League-chasing Nottingham Forest are thought to be lining up a club-record bid for his services.

Arteta's men head to the West Midlands without key defender William Saliba due to a hamstring problem. Jakub Kiwior is likely to partner Gabriel Magalhaes at the heart of the back line as a result, with Jurrien Timber set to operate at right-back.

Myles Lewis-Skelly, who has been a dependable left-back in recent weeks, jarred his knee against Villa and subsequently missed the home win over Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League on Wednesday. Riccardo Calafiori returned to the squad in midweek, so Arteta could turn to the Italian on Saturday if required.

Bukayo Saka (hamstring) Gabriel Jesus, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu (all knee) remain confined to the treatment room.

Young attacker Ethan Nwaneri featured in the squad against Zagreb, so he will provide the Gunners with another dynamic in the final third alongside Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.

Arsenal and both teams to score @ 21/10

The Gunners head to Molineux unbeaten in their last 12 matches in the Premier League, including six on the road. Three of those away matches ended in victory, and they came against West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Brentford.

After last week's disappointment on home turf, Arteta and his players will look to make amends at Molineux against one of the weakest sides in the division. Wolves have the worst defensive record in the top flight with 51 goals conceded after 22 games, so they are leaking 2.3 on average per match.

Three defeats on the spin has led to more discontent amongst the players and the fan base, and it is hard to see their fortunes suddenly changing against the team ranked second in the table.

Arsenal have looked a lot more threatening from open play of late and the likes of Havertz, Trossard and Martinelli are finding form, so this trio could torment this frail Wolves defence.

However, I do see the Old Gold getting on the scoresheet as they have only blanked in one of their home matches in the league. On top of this, Arsenal haven't recorded a shutout in their past nine contests on their travels in the top flight. Unfortunately, a consolation goal is all I'm expecting from the hosts.

Gabriel Magalhaes to score a header (via Bet Builder) @ 10/1

The Gunners are looking slicker from open play but their set-pieces remain their greatest asset. No side in the Premier League has scored more goals from these scenarios than Arsenal's total of 10, which amounts to 20 per cent of their haul in the top flight.

They are such a threat from crossing positions, and the man who is usually on the end to meet them is defender Gabriel. The Brazilian has already scored three times in the league this term (all of which were headers), and he recently teed up the equalising own goal in the win over rivals Tottenham Hotspur, as his headed effort went in off Dominic Solanke.

Wolves have looked shaky when defending set-pieces and they have conceded the most goals (17) from these scenarios in the Premier League. This will be music to Gabriel's ears and I think 10/1 offers excellent value for him to score a header against them on Saturday.

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