Cherries opposable at Molineux

Wolverhampton Wanderers could push themselves up towards mid table this weekend as they prepare to host Bournemouth.

The Cherries look destined for a Championship return and in all honesty have already performed much better than I expected, but they are yet to pick up a victory this calendar year and their attacking overperformance has regressed to the mean.

Wolves, as was to be expected, have elevated their level since swapping Bruno Lage for Julen Lopetegui, the former Spain, Real Madrid and Sevilla manager, was a huge coup and could lead the club back to competing for a place in European competition next season.

I have been looking to oppose Bournemouth all season but the prices have often been too short, with the market understanding just how poor for the level they actually are, but this game does provide that opportunity in combining two selections.

Process

The Cherries are averaging just 0.95 expected goals (xG) for per game this season, but they have still scored three more goals than the hosts.

There has been an improvement since Lopetegui came in, but Wolves are still a side who are better at protecting their own goal than launching an assault on the opposition’s.

Wolves have unsustainably underperformed to score just 17 goals from 22 outings, and will be looking to address that balance in the remaining 16 games of the season.

This is a great chance for Wolves to go three from three and almost erase all fears of them slipping back into a relegation battle, a victory would result in a huge sigh of relief from all levels of the club.

Boubacar Traore, Chiquinho, Daniel Podence, Hwang Hee-Chan and Sasa Kalajdzic are out, while Mario Lemina will be suspended after a red card against Southampton.

The Cherries will be without: David Brooks, Illia Zabarnyi, Junior Stanislas, Lewis Cook and Lloyd Kelly while Marcos Senesi is doubtful.

Goals?

The outright price was big enough to convince me to get Wolves onside, and I am going to enhance the odds with a short price goals-based selection.

• Wolves have scored in seven of ten.

• Wolves have conceded in eight of ten.

• Wolves have seen both teams score in five of ten.

• Wolves have seen over 2.5 goals in five of ten.

• Bournemouth have scored in four of ten.

• Bournemouth have conceded in nine of ten.

• Bournemouth have seen both teams score in three of ten.

• Bournemouth have seen over 2.5 goals in three of ten.

Wolverhampton Wanderers - Bournemouth Betting Tip

Wolverhampton Wanderers + Under 4.5 goals with Betway at odds of 4/5 or 1.80.

Bet Wolverhampton Wanderers to Win + Under 4.5 goals on Betway