The Daily Star Ireland
Molineux will host a high-stakes encounter on September 20 as Wolverhampton Wanderers take on Leeds United, with both sides desperate to ignite their seasons. Wolves remain rooted to the bottom after four straight defeats, while Leeds have shown flashes of competitiveness but continue to struggle for consistency.
Wolves Searching for a Spark
For Vítor Pereira, the pressure is already mounting. His Wolves side are still without a point this season, and defensive lapses have cost them dearly, with nine goals conceded across their first four matches. Yet, their narrow 3-2 loss to Everton offered a glimpse of what the team can do going forward, with moments of attacking cohesion that suggest all hope is not lost.
Striker Jorgen Strand Larsen is expected to return from a minor Achilles issue and should spearhead the attack alongside Fer Lopez and Jhon Arias. In midfield, João Gomes and Andre will be relied upon to add control and balance. At the back, Pereira looks set to persist with a three-man defense of Santiago Bueno, Emmanuel Agbadou, and Ladislav Krejčí in hopes of restoring stability. The recent addition of Tolu Arokodare provides depth in attack, though he may be eased in from the bench.
Leeds Struggling to Find Consistency
Daniel Farke’s Leeds United arrive with four points from four games but have endured a frustrating run, failing to score in their last three fixtures. Their 5-0 hammering at the hands of Arsenal underlined the fragility of this side, while ongoing injury concerns continue to disrupt rhythm.
Goalkeeper Lucas Perri is sidelined with a thigh injury, leaving Karl Darlow to retain his place in goal. Up front, Dominic Calvert-Lewin leads the line, supported by Brenden Aaronson and Noah Okafor on the flanks. Anton Stach remains central to Leeds’ creativity, with Ethan Ampadu and Sean Longstaff offering defensive cover in midfield. Despite glimpses of promise, Leeds’ poor record away from home remains a cause for concern, particularly against teams desperate for a turnaround.
Tactical Outlook and Key Battles
This clash is likely to hinge on Wolves’ ability to capitalize on Leeds’ transitions. Pereira’s 3-4-3 system will demand discipline at the back while looking to exploit the pace and movement of Hwang Hee-chan, who has been one of Wolves’ brighter performers. With Strand Larsen returning, Wolves have a more natural focal point to trouble Leeds’ backline, where Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk are still regaining sharpness after recent knocks.
For Leeds, the challenge will be to break their scoring drought while containing Wolves’ renewed attacking energy. Farke’s men will need sharper execution in the final third if they are to make their away trip worthwhile.
Prediction: Wolves to Edge It
Both sides enter this game with vulnerabilities, but Wolves’ urgency and home support may prove decisive. With Leeds misfiring in attack and Wolves showing glimpses of resilience at Molineux, a narrow victory for the hosts feels likely. A 2-1 scoreline seems plausible, though Wolves could just as easily keep a clean sheet if their back three find cohesion.
Prediction: Wolves 2 – 0 Leeds
