Wolverhampton Wanderers vs West Bromwich Albion

14th January

Sam Allardyce’s Baggies face a local derby next when they travel to face West Midlands rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on Saturday lunchtime (ko.12.30pm).

Wolves

Their last time out

Wolves suffered a 2-1 home defeat in their last Premier League outing at the hands of a resurgent Everton side on Tuesday evening.

A second-half header from Toffees defender Michael Keane meant Wanderers extended their run without a win in the league to five matches.

It means Wolves have also failed to keep a clean sheet since the end of October.

In the dugout

Nuno Espírito Santo became a cult figure at Molineux after helping Wolves return to the top-flight.

The former goalkeeper took over the helm at Molineux towards the end of the 2016/17 campaign. During his first full term as boss, the 46-year-old guided Wanderers back to the Premier League in 2018 after a six-year absence.

Nuno’s team lifted the Championship trophy in 2018 with four games to spare. In their maiden year back in the top flight, he led Wolves to a seventh-placed finish - their highest in just under 40 years.

Wanderers achieved seventh-placed finishes over consecutive seasons when they achieved the same feat in 2020. And after qualifying for the Europa League in 2019, Santo’s men enjoyed success in the tournament before departing in the quarter-finals following a 1-0 defeat to Sevilla in August, 2020.

One to watch

Pedro Neto has been one of the most influential players in Santo’s side during the 2020/21 campaign.

In total, Neto has seven direct goal involvements in 20 appearances for Wolves this season (4 goals, 3 assists) as a result of his quick, direct play in the attacking third.

And the Baggies defence will be fully aware of the dangers that the 20-year-old Portuguese attacker possesses.

Our last meeting

Who could forget our last Black Country derby back in February, 2012 where a Peter Odemwingie hat-trick, along with goals from Jonas Olsson and Keith Andrews, completed a season double over Wanderers with an impressive 5-1 victory.

And in the reverse fixture that term, Odemwingie was on hand to score again along with Chris Brunt as two fine finishes downed Wolves in October, 2011...

Stats

Wolves

Wolves have only won one of their last eight PL games (W1, D2, L5).
But they have only failed to score in one of their PL home games this season.
Ruben Neves has scored in Wanderers’ last two league outings.

Albion

Seven of Albion’s 11 Premier League goals have come in the first half of matches.
Sam Allardyce hasn't lost against Wolves during his managerial career (W4, D2).
The Baggies are unbeaten in their last two away league matches following 1-1 draws against Manchester City and Liverpool respectively.

Head to head

	Wolves wins	Draw	Albion wins
League	52	40	54
FA Cup	1	2	8
Total	53	42	62

Our one to watch

After signing at the start of January, Robert Snodgrass will be keen to endear himself to the Albion faithful in this weekend’s local derby.

The Scottish winger has enjoyed numerous seasons in the top flight with Norwich, Hull City and more recently West Ham United - the club he left to join the Baggies.

That Premier League experience was a factor head coach Sam Allardyce was keen to stress upon Snodgrass’ arrival. And with the 33-year-old’s dribbling ability and expertise from dead-ball situations, Albion will be hoping they can profit from the Glaswegian’s attributes.

Follow the game

Gez Mulholland will be joined by once midfield-now-microphone maestro Andy Johnson to provide proudly partisan commentary and an expert insight for WBA Radio.

To listen live to Baggies-biased commentary on WBA Radio for free for every home and away match during the 2020/21 season all you have to do is sign up for a free My Albion account.

If you haven't already you can create your My Albion account here. Click Create Account or register quickly with your Facebook or Google account.

Live commentary starts from 15 minutes before kick-off and will be accessible through the live match centre or WBA TV.

If you have any issues registering or accessing your My Albion account please contact myalbion@wbafc.co.uk.

The game is also available to watch on BT Sport.

16th January

Albion claimed the bragging rights with a 3-2 victory at Molineux as the Black Country derby returned after a nine-year absence.

Matheus Pereira netted twice from the penalty spot either side of a Semi Ajayi header as Sam Allardyce’s men took all three points from the 161st encounter with the old enemy.

The Baggies were without several first-team regulars with Sam Johnstone and Matt Phillips continuing their recovery from COVID-19, while Conor Gallagher (suspension) and Grady Diangana (injury) were also unavailable.

Robert Snodgrass made his Albion debut in midfield after joining from West Ham United last week and David Button deputised between the sticks.

Allardyce’s men were ahead after just eight minutes when Matheus Pereira netted a penalty after Callum Robinson was fouled by Willy Boly just inside the area.

Albion withstood pressure from the hosts, who had much of the ball, but reduced early goalscoring opportunities to Leander Dendoncker’s three speculative efforts.

Pereira forced a low save from Rui Patricio on 19 minutes before Boly flicked wide of Albion’s near post from a low Pedro Neto cross.

The Baggies carved out a great chance for Robinson to make it 2-0 on the half-hour mark but Patricio was quick off his line to make a superb close-range save.

Fabio Silva levelled for Wolves from six yards in the 38th minute after Albion failed to clear their lines and Boly put Nuno’s side ahead two minutes before the break – side-footing in after a melee in the Baggies box.

But the Baggies were not behind for long.

Ajayi nodded inside the left upright from Dara O’Shea’s long throw to equalise on 52, before Albion took the lead courtesy of a second Pereira penalty four minutes later, following a foul on Robinson by Conor Coady.

With confidence restored the Baggies continued to push for more goals, with Sawyers and Robinson dragging wide from just outside the box.

The hosts dominated possession in the latter stages and almost levelled when Cutrone saw a fierce volley bounce over with eight minutes to go.

But the Baggies held on to claim the spoils and their second victory of the season – closing the gap with 17th-placed Brighton to three points.

Albion: Button; O’Shea, Ajayi, Bartley, Gibbs; Livermore (c), Sawyers; Snodgrass, Pereira (Furlong 83), Grosicki (Robson-Kanu 69); Robinson.

Subs: Lonergan; Krovinovic, Ivanovic, Edwards, Peltier, Kipre, Field.

Saturday 16th January 2021 - 12:30