Wolves v Everton predictions: Wanderers to add to Benitez's blues

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

Where to watch

Sky Sports Premier League, 8pm Monday

Best bet

Wolves
1pt 6-5 general

Team news

Wolves
Ruben Neves is pushing for a start in midfield, while Francisco Trincao is available after illness.

Everton
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Abdoulaye Doucoure remain sidelined.

Match preview

Rafael Benitez's fine start at Everton appears to be unravelling and another tough evening may await the Toffees when they head to Molineux.

Hosts Wolves have been quietly going about their business, taking ten points from the last 12 available thanks to wins over Southampton, Newcastle and Aston Villa, before drawing 1-1 at Leeds last time out.

Boss Bruno Lage will have been frustrated at conceding a stoppage-time equaliser at Elland Road but he can be happy with how his stint in England has gone so far.

There were early doubts as to whether the Portuguese was the right man to replace his popular compatriot Nuno Espirito Santo after Wolves fell to defeat in their opening three Premier League encounters.

However, Lage seems to have landed on a successful formula and his side have a realistic chance of improving on last term's 13th-placed finish.

Wolves's record against Everton is mixed. They have won just three of the pair's 14 Premier League meetings, although two of those have come since they were promoted back to the top flight in 2018.

Everton won both of last season's contests, including a 2-1 win at Molineux in January, and their away record this season is decent if not exceptional.

The Toffees have won at Brighton and drawn at Leeds and Manchester United this term, but they were abject in a 3-0 defeat at Aston Villa, recording just a single shot on target.

Benitez will hope Everton's 5-2 home defeat to Watford last time out proves to be the low point of his Goodison Park reign but with European qualification the target, he'll demand his troops take something from their trip to Molineux.

The Spaniard will probably be looking to Richarlison to provide the Toffees with some inspiration. The Brazilian scored on his return from a knee injury against the Hornets and has netted in five of his six starts against Wolves.

The 24-year-old ensures Everton will carry a threat going forward but their defence should be wary of Wolves striker Raul Jimenez, who has netted in all four of his Premier League outings against the Toffees.

Jimenez has yet to hit top form after the serious head injury he suffered last season – he's netted only once this term – but his link-up play is vital to the way Wolves play.

A goal on Monday night would be deserved for the hard work he's put in of late, but even if Jimenez doesn't find the back of the net his influence could help Wolves claim three points.

Key stat

Raul Jimenez has netted in each of his four Premier League outings against Everton.

Inside info

Wolves

Penalty taker Joao Moutinho
Free-kick wizard Joao Moutinho
Set-piece aerial threat Max Kilman
Card magnet Romain Saiss

Everton

Penalty taker Andros Townsend
Free-kick wizardLucas Digne
Set-piece aerial threatMichael Keane
Card magnet Lucas Digne

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