Wolves v Brentford predictions: Bees overpriced to succeed at Molineux

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Wolves v Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, 12.30pm Saturday

Best bet

Brentford or draw double chance
2pts 10-11 Betfred, BoyleSports

Team news

Wolves
Jonny Castro, Pedro Neto and Hugo Bueno remain sidelined.

Brentford
Josh Dasilva and Mads Sorensen are still unavailable.

Match preview

Brentford suffered their first major setback last Saturday when Leandro Trossard's injury-time goal condemned them to a 1-0 loss to Brighton, but they have competed well in every match and look overpriced to take at least a point against Wolves at Molineux.

Wolves have won the shot count in each of their games but have picked up just three points – last Saturday's 2-0 success at Watford.

They deserved that success at Vicarage Road but there were familiar weaknesses on display as Bruno Lage's side struggled to make their superiority count until they were given a helping hand by Francisco Sierralta's own goal.

If Wolves are to have a positive season they simply must score more goals, but it is doubtful whether they have enough firepower.

There are high hopes for RB Leipzig loanee Hwang Hee-Chan, who came off the bench to score Wolves' second goal against the Hornets.

But Hwang failed to score in 20 Bundesliga appearances for his parent club and was only marginally more successful during a season-long loan at Hamburg, netting twice in 20 games.

He scored more regularly for RB Salzburg but it remains to be seen if he can cut it in one of the top leagues.

For now the onus is on Raul Jimenez and the Mexican is still feeling his way back after recovering from a serious head injury.

Jimenez has played every minute this season but is yet to score even though there has been no shortage of decent service into the penalty area.

Wolves are strong in the wide areas, where Adam Traore and Francisco Trincao offer lots of space and skill, but neither has great goalscoring records and that will need to change if Wolves are to avoid many more disappointments like the seemingly harsh 1-0 losses to Leicester, Tottenham and Manchester United.

Brentford will be put under pressure but they have enough midfield quality and composure to give their defence moments of respite and their attacking players could win them the game.

The Bees' front two, Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbeumo, are playing in the Premier League for the first time but they have looked a threat from the opening match of the season when their pace, power and movement were key to the superb 2-0 success over Arsenal.

Toney got off the mark with a well taken goal in the 1-1 draw at Aston Villa and both had chances in the defeat to Brighton which was harsh on Thomas Frank's side.

The loss nudged Brentford down to tenth but they have shown enough to suggest that they can flourish in the top flight and a win at Wolves does not look beyond them.

Key stat

Brentford have lost one of their last nine league games.

Inside info

Wolves

Penalty taker Raul Jimenez
Free-kick wizard Ruben Neves
Aerial set piece threat Romain Saiss
Card magnet Ruben Neves

Brentford

Penalty taker Ivan Toney
Free-kick wizard Bryan Mbeumo
Aerial set piece threat Ivan Toney
Card magnet Christian Norgaard

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