Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Arsenal

Molineux Stadium is the venue as Wolverhampton Wanderers and leaders Arsenal go head-to-head in the ultimate Premier League round ahead of the World Cup break.

Newly-appointed Wolverhampton boss Julen Lopetegui will have to wait until after the Qatar showpiece to make his touchline debut in the Premier League due to a work permit. So it’ll be up to interim manager Steve Davis to inspire Wolves’ bid to bounce back from a dismal four-match winless league run (D1, L3). Not even a victory would secure the home side’s place outside the bottom three, but it’s a long shot anyway. The ‘Wanderers’ lost both last season’s Premier League clashes against Arsenal via a single-goal margin while only winning once in their eight top-flight outings preceding this encounter (D1, L6). While Wolves’ two Premier League victories this term have arrived at Molineux, it’s worth noting that each came against sides starting the round in the relegation zone.

On the other hand, visiting Arsenal may have intentionally sacrificed the EFL Cup to bolster the pursuit of their first Premier League title in 18 years, losing 3-1 at home to Brighton & Hove Albion in midweek. But Mikel Arteta’s men have been nothing short of outstanding in the Premier League this season, winning a staggering 85% of their top-flight fixtures (11/13), including a 1-0 beating of Chelsea last time out. Adding to the visitors’ confidence, they have won six of their eight Premier League away meetings with Wolves (L2) while scoring at least once in all 16 of their clashes again them in the competition. Indeed, the ‘Gunners’ come into proceedings as the only Premier League side to have found the net in all 13 league outings this term.