Wolves v Watford predictions: Hodgson's Hornets have to take risks at Molineux

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Wolves v Watford in the Premier League on Thursday.

When to bet

7.30pm Thursday

Best bet

Over 2.5 goals
2pts 6-4 bet365

Team news

Wolves
Right-backs Nelson Semedo and Ki-Jana Hoever are both sidelined for the hosts.

Watford
Josh King and Peter Etebo are doubts. Nicolas Nkoulou, William Troost-Ekong, Ismaila Sarr and Jeremy Ngakia are injured.

Match preview

Wolves' impeccable defensive standards have dropped in recent weeks, most notably when they conceded two late goals to lose 2-1 at Arsenal, and their clash with an increasingly desperate Watford side could be more entertaining than the betting suggests.

The Hornets lost 3-2 to the Gunners last weekend, despite having seven shots on target to their opponents' four, and they have the attacking talent to unsettle Wolves, who have lost their last three Premier League matches.

Watford boss Roy Hodgson tends to prioritise defensive solidity over gung-ho attacking but only Norwich are below the Hornets in the table so they need to start winning games.

They know they can score against the best teams in the division, having notched nine times in six home games against the top six, and they can take heart from Wolves' 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, who scored twice in the first 34 minutes at Molineux last weekend.

Key stat

Wolves have kept only one clean sheet in their last nine matches in all competitions.

Inside info

Wolves

Penalty taker Raul Jimenez
Free-kick wizard Ruben Neves
Set-piece aerial threat Max Kilman
Card magnet Romain Saiss

Watford

Penalty taker Josh King
Free-kick wizard Emmanuel Dennis
Set-piece aerial threat Emmanuel Dennis
Card magnet Samir

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