Crystal Palace vs Wolves for this pre-season friendly tie. Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton Wanderers continue their pre-season schedule with a friendly in Maryland on Wednesday night. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips
Club Friendlies | Aug 1, 2024 at 3am UK Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
Crystal Palace vs Wolves Predictions
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Can Crystal Palace’s Attack Overwhelm Wolves’ Defence in Maryland?
Key Stats
Crystal Palace scored six goals in their last friendly against Crawley Town, highlighting their attacking potential.
Wolves’ Rodrigo Gomes has already netted three goals in pre-season, showcasing his goal-scoring form.
Both teams have averaged over four shots on target per game, indicating a potentially high number of attempts in this friendly.
In a highly anticipated pre-season friendly, Crystal Palace are set to clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers in Maryland on Wednesday night. Both Premier League outfits have had promising starts to their pre-season campaigns and will look to maintain their momentum. The fixture in Annapolis promises to be a compelling encounter, with both teams yet to taste defeat since their summer breaks.
Match Preview
Crystal Palace have had a relatively quiet summer, both in terms of transfer activity and the number of friendlies played. Their pre-season began with a 1-1 draw against Charlton Athletic, followed by a thrilling 6-3 victory over Crawley Town. Despite their defensive frailties, the Eagles showcased a potent attacking display, scoring twice in the opening three minutes and netting four times within the first half-hour against Crawley. Manager Oliver Glasner will be keen to tighten up the defence while maintaining the attacking prowess exhibited so far.
In contrast, Wolverhampton Wanderers have had a more active pre-season, securing wins in all three of their matches. They started with a narrow 1-0 win over Como, followed by a convincing 3-0 victory against Bristol City. Their most recent outing saw them defeat West Ham 3-1, with new signing Rodrigo Gomes scoring twice. Gary O’Neil’s side will aim to build on this positive momentum as they face tougher opposition in Crystal Palace.
Team Analysis
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace's performance in pre-season friendlies has been characterised by a blend of attacking flair and defensive lapses. Their ability to score goals quickly, as seen in the Crawley match, is a testament to their offensive capabilities. The absence of key players like Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze has not significantly impacted their performance, indicating the depth and versatility within the squad. However, the defensive issues highlighted in the Crawley game suggest that Glasner needs to address their backline's resilience.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves have shown solidity in both attack and defence during their pre-season fixtures. Their ability to secure clean sheets against Como and Bristol City, combined with a strong attacking display against West Ham, demonstrates a balanced approach. Rodrigo Gomes has been a standout performer, quickly integrating into the team and scoring crucial goals. The potential absence of Matheus Cunha due to injury is a setback, but the depth in their attacking options provides optimism.
Key Player Duels
The midfield battle between Crystal Palace’s Naouirou Ahamada and Wolves' Mario Lemina could be pivotal. Both players are instrumental in their respective teams' transition play and ball retention. Additionally, the duel between Palace's Joachim Andersen and Wolves' Jorgen Strand Larsen in the defensive third will be crucial in determining the game's outcome. Andersen’s ability to marshal the defence against Larsen’s physical presence and aerial prowess will be a fascinating contest.
Expected Gameplay
Given the attacking inclinations of both teams, this friendly is likely to be an open and entertaining match. Crystal Palace are expected to adopt an aggressive approach from the outset, looking to exploit the spaces behind Wolves' defence with quick, incisive passing. Wolves, on the other hand, might opt for a more balanced strategy, focusing on solid defensive organisation while utilising swift counter-attacks through their pacey forwards.
Tactical Insights
Crystal Palace
Palace's reliance on quick transitions and high pressing could be effective against Wolves, who might struggle with their high-tempo style. However, the Eagles need to be wary of over-committing players forward, which could leave them vulnerable to counter-attacks. Glasner must ensure his team maintains positional discipline, particularly in midfield, to prevent Wolves from exploiting any gaps.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves' strategy will likely revolve around maintaining a compact defensive shape and capitalising on set-pieces and counter-attacks. Their physicality and aerial ability in the box can pose a significant threat to Palace’s defence. O’Neil’s focus should be on disrupting Palace’s rhythm and making the most of their scoring opportunities, especially with players like Rodrigo Gomes in fine form.
Predictions
Best Bet: Over 3.5 Goals
Given both teams' pre-season form and attacking prowess, a high-scoring match seems likely. Crystal Palace's defensive vulnerabilities and Wolves' recent goal-scoring exploits suggest that there could be plenty of goals. With Palace involved in a 6-3 thriller recently and Wolves netting three against West Ham, expecting over 3.5 goals in this encounter is a sound prediction.
Correct Score: Crystal Palace 2-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers
The attacking nature of both teams, coupled with their defensive frailties, points towards a high-scoring draw. Crystal Palace’s propensity to score early and Wolves’ ability to respond effectively suggests a balanced game. A 2-2 scoreline reflects the anticipated back-and-forth nature of the match, with both teams likely to find the net multiple times.
Goalscorer Prediction: Rodrigo Gomes to Score
Rodrigo Gomes has been impressive for Wolves, scoring twice against West Ham. His current form and attacking instincts make him a strong candidate to find the back of the net against Palace. With Palace’s defence showing signs of vulnerability, Gomes’ sharpness and finishing ability could see him add to his pre-season tally.
First Team to Score: Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace’s tendency to start games strongly, as evidenced by their quick goals against Crawley, makes them likely to score first. Their aggressive approach in the opening stages could catch Wolves off guard, allowing them to take an early lead.
Innovative Market: Total Team Shots on Target
Considering the attacking form of both sides, betting on the total number of shots on target by either team presents a good opportunity. Crystal Palace averaged 4.4 shots on target per game last season, while Wolves managed 4.2. With both teams likely to adopt an offensive approach, a market on total shots on target over a specified threshold (e.g., over 8.5 shots on target) could offer value.
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