Wolves v Leeds predictions: Whites can pick up a precious point
Bruno Lage's hosts set to be frustrated
Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Wolves v Leeds United in the Premier League on Friday.
Where to watch
Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League, 8pm Friday
Best bet
Draw
1pt 5-2 bet365, Betfred
Team news
Wolves
Nelson Semedo and Ki-Jana Hoever remain unavailable. Pedro Neto (foot) is out but Hwang Hee-Chan is in contention.
Leeds
Leo Hjelde, Tyler Roberts, and Junior Firpo are injured but Kalvin Phillips and Liam Cooper are back in training. Lewis Bate, Rodrigo and Jamie Shackleton are injury doubts.
Match preview
The arrival of Jesse Marsch has sparked an upturn in form for Leeds and they can boost their survival chances by claiming a precious point at Wolves.
Many Leeds fans were disappointed when Marcelo Bielsa's spell in the dugout was ended, but there were obvious problems which needed to be resolved to ensure a fighting chance of avoiding a return to the Championship.
Bielsa was without key players for large chunks of the season, but he decided against going with a bigger squad and stubbornly stuck with a bold - bordering on reckless - tactical approach which left the team wide open at the back.
Leeds shipped 20 goals in their last five matches under the Argentinian and their tally of 65 goals conceded is the worst defensive record in the division.
They immediately looked more organised when losing 1-0 at Leicester in Marsch's first match and carried a greater attacking threat in last Sunday's 2-1 success at home to Norwich, with Patrick Bamford making his first start since September.
Bamford was substituted after 45 minutes due to concerns over his workload but he should get a longer runout against Wolves and his involvement looks sure to improve Leeds's chances.
Wolves will be targeting a home win as they continue to push for European qualification.
Three successive defeats in February and March had raised question marks over their readiness to challenge some of the big boys but they have responded with back-to-back wins, including last Sunday's deserved 1-0 success at Everton.
Bruno Lage's men have not drawn since a goalless clash at home to Chelsea in December but their games are usually tight, and only three of the last ten have been settled by more than one goal.
Wolves's goalscoring output has improved as the season has progressed, but they are the lowest scorers among the top 12 and star striker Raul Jimenez has notched just twice in his last nine appearances.
However, they give very little away, conceding only 23 goals in 29 league matches, and their solid defence can help them to match Leeds in the Midlands.
Key stat
Five of the last seven games between Wolves and Leeds have featured fewer than three goals
Inside info
Wolves
Penalty taker Raul Jimenez
Free-kick wizard Ruben Neves
Set-piece aerial threat Conor Coady
Card magnet Ruben Neves
Leeds
Penalty taker Patrick Bamford/Raphinha
Free-kick wizardRaphinha
Set-piece aerial threatPascal Struijk
Card magnetDiego Llorente
Not got a bet365 account? Bet £10 & get £50 in free bets
Open account offer. Minimum deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as bet credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Minimum odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude bet credits stake. Time limits/T&Cs apply. 18+ begambleaware.org
Sign up to emails from Racing Post Sport and get all the latest news and tips
Today's top sports betting stories
Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport
Published on inPremier League
Last updated
- West Ham vs Wolves prediction, betting tips and odds
- Premier League predictions, football betting tips and free bets for Sunday's 2pm kick-offs
- Fulham vs Arsenal prediction, betting tips and odds
- Tottenham vs Chelsea predictions: Get 50-1 odds for a goal to be scored
- Paddy Power free bets: 40-1 odds for Manchester Utd to beat Forest
- West Ham vs Wolves prediction, betting tips and odds
- Premier League predictions, football betting tips and free bets for Sunday's 2pm kick-offs
- Fulham vs Arsenal prediction, betting tips and odds
- Tottenham vs Chelsea predictions: Get 50-1 odds for a goal to be scored
- Paddy Power free bets: 40-1 odds for Manchester Utd to beat Forest