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Premier League

Wolves v Leeds predictions: Whites can pick up a precious point

Bruno Lage's hosts set to be frustrated

Leeds manager Jesse Marsch is set for a tense end to the season
Leeds manager Jesse Marsch is set for a tense end to the seasonCredit: Boris Streubel

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 wizard
Raphinha
Set-piece aerial threat
Pascal Struijk
Card magnet
Diego Llorente


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