Burnley vs Wolverhampton: can the hosts continue their rise?
For the hosts, this is a chance to prove that their thrashing of Watford was no fluke, while the visitors will look to bounce back after a setback in the previous round.
- Read also: The visitors must capitalize on the hosts’ problems: Al Sadd vs Al Hilal prediction
Burnley can finally breathe a sigh of relief. After a difficult start to the season, the team thrashed Watford 4-0 away from home to claim its first league win. Such a result could give a confidence boost to a side that had clearly been short of positive momentum. Now, the key is to prove that the team can pick up points consistently rather than rely on occasional eye-catching performances.
The home crowd should encourage the hosts to play more boldly and push forward more often.
Wolverhampton’s mood is far less upbeat. In the previous round, the Wolves suffered a 0-1 defeat to Middlesbrough, conceding the decisive goal in a hard-fought contest. At the same time, their start to the campaign has been far more convincing overall than their opponents’: ahead of this match, Wolverhampton remain in the upper half of the table and retain a strong chance of challenging for promotion.
The main question is whether Burnley can harness their emotional momentum and force their opponents into mistakes. The hosts must avoid leaving their defense too exposed: the Wolves can exploit open spaces and punish turnovers. The visitors, meanwhile, will need to withstand the early pressure and look to control the tempo of the game.
That said, Burnley should certainly not be underestimated after a 4-0 victory. The team has gained the necessary momentum, and the home advantage could play an important role. However, based on the results of the opening rounds, Wolverhampton look like the more consistent side.
Prediction: this promises to be a closely contested encounter, but the visitors look slightly more likely to come out on top.
My pick is both teams to score - yes.
