Saturday's clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium tells the story of two clubs heading in completely opposite directions. While Spurs sit pretty in 3rd place with 10 points from their opening five matches, Wolves find themselves rock bottom with zero points – a nightmare start that has them staring down the barrel of an unwanted Premier League record.
Table of contents [Show]
The contrast between these sides couldn't be starker. Tottenham have been ruthlessly clinical, scoring 9 goals while conceding none – a perfect defensive record that speaks volumes about their early-season confidence. Their +1.78 xG overperformance suggests they're converting chances at an unsustainable rate, but right now, everything they touch seems to turn to gold.
Wolves, meanwhile, are living through a striker's nightmare. Despite creating chances worth 2.65 expected goals, they've failed to find the net even once. That -2.65 xG underperformance isn't just bad luck – it's a crisis of confidence that's destroying their season before it's barely begun.
Here's where it gets interesting. Despite their current struggles, Wolves have been Tottenham's bogey team in recent years. They're unbeaten in their last five Premier League meetings, winning four and drawing one. Just last season, they humiliated Spurs 4-2 at Molineux and held them to draws at home.
Those results weren't flukes. Wolves have consistently exploited Tottenham's high defensive line with devastating counter-attacks, and they've only lost twice in their last eight Premier League visits to North London. If there's one team that knows how to get under Spurs' skin, it's this one.
Thomas Frank has Tottenham playing with the handbrake off – high pressing, aggressive full-backs bombing forward, and a midfield that transitions from defense to attack in the blink of an eye. It's exciting to watch, but it leaves them vulnerable to the kind of lightning-quick counters that Wolves specialize in.
Wolves will likely sit deep in their familiar 3-4-3 shape, absorbing pressure and waiting for their moment. Wing-backs David Møller Wolfe and Semedo will be crucial – they need to provide the width in attack while staying disciplined enough to prevent Tottenham's inverted full-backs from causing chaos.
The key battle will be in midfield, where Rodrigo Bentancur needs to control the tempo for Spurs while Wolves' central pairing of Gomes and Lemina look to break up play and launch swift attacks.
Richarlison leads Tottenham's charge with 3 goals already this season, and remarkably, he's scored 6 career goals against Wolves – more than against any other opponent. He'll be licking his lips at the prospect of facing a defense that's clearly struggling for confidence.
For Wolves, everything runs through Jørgen Strand Larsen up front. He managed to score in both fixtures against Tottenham last season and remains their most potent threat despite the team's collective struggles. If Wolves are going to nick something from this game, it'll likely come through him.
Tottenham's squad depth will be tested with some significant absences. James Maddison's torn ACL is a season-ending blow that removes crucial creativity from their midfield, while Dejan Kulusevski's knee injury robs them of pace and trickery on the wing. Yves Bissouma's absence also weakens their midfield pressing game.
Wolves have their own concerns with André potentially missing out, but compared to Spurs' injury list, they're in relatively good shape.
Logic says Tottenham should win this comfortably. They're at home, in brilliant form, and facing a team that can't buy a goal. Their 15-game unbeaten run at home against bottom-placed teams suggests this should be routine.
But football isn't always logical. Wolves have that recent head-to-head record, they'll be desperate to avoid making unwanted history, and they've shown they can hurt Tottenham on the break.
Score Prediction: Tottenham 3-1 Wolves
Expect Tottenham to dominate possession and create plenty of chances. If they score early, it could turn into a rout as Wolves are forced to abandon their defensive shell. But don't be surprised if Wolves nick a goal on the counter – they've done it before, and Tottenham's aggressive style always leaves gaps to exploit.
Richarlison looks a banker to score given his record against Wolves, while Strand Larsen offers decent value as a differential pick for fantasy managers brave enough to back a striker from the league's bottom team.
The smart money is on Tottenham ending Wolves' recent dominance in this fixture, but in football, sometimes the story writes itself differently. And wouldn't it be just like Wolves to pull off another shock when everyone's written them off?
Arsenal face West Ham in a crucial London Derby at Emirates Stadium. Get our expert match prediction, betting tips, team news, and tactical analysis for this Premier League clash.
Expert Manchester United vs Sunderland match prediction for Premier League Gameweek 7. In-depth tactical analysis, team news, betting tips, and FPL picks for the October 4, 2025 clash at Old Trafford.
The Premier League fixture between Newcastle United and Arsenal at St James' Park on Sunday, September 28, 2025, represents a clash of contrasting early-season fortunes and tactical philosophies. This match is a pivotal test of both clubs' capacity to achieve their seasonal objectives.
