Match Pack: Wolves vs Saints
After a positive week at St Mary’s, Southampton are back on the road this weekend as they head to Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday. Get set for the encounter with our Match Pack, in association with eToro…
Wolves vs Saints
Premier League
Molineux Stadium
Saturday 3rd September, 3pm BST
Referee: John Brooks
Assistants: Marc Perry, Matthew Wilkes
Fourth official: Steve Martin
VAR: Tony Harrington
Assistant VAR: Steve Meredith
Saints will be wearing their red and white home kit for the trip to the Midlands.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Both sides head into Saturday’s encounter after contrasting weeks, with the hosts settling for back-to-back draws against Bournemouth and Newcastle and Saints claiming an impressive three points against Chelsea, after an encouraging performance against Manchester United.
Strikes from Roméo Lavia and Adam Armstrong gave the Blues the blues in midweek, lifting Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side into the top 10 in the table.
Just four days after the memorable night at St Mary’s, Saints’ matchday squad could see much change following a busy transfer deadline day.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Samuel Edozie, Juan Larios and Duje Ćaleta-Car all arrived through the door at Staplewood Campus, while Oriol Romeu (Girona, permanent), Jack Stephens (Bournemouth, loan), Jan Bednarek (Aston Villa, loan), Yan Valery (Angers, permanent) and Mateusz Lis (Troyes, loan) joined youngsters Jake Vokins (Woking, loan) and Dynel Simeu (Tranmere, loan) in departing.
TEAM NEWS
Three of Saints' new signings are available for the trip to Molineux, with only Duje Ćaleta-Car unavailable.
Elsewhere, Roméo Lavia has been ruled out for a minimum of six weeks with a hamstring injury sustained in the 2-1 win over Chelsea in midweek. The midfielder joins Tino Livramento on the sidelines.
To follow.
“I think we have shown some new patterns, especially the resilience in defence and coming back [from behind] is something you want. It’s important for this young team because the belief is there and the belief is very, very important for a new group.”
Handed the captain’s armband this season, the Portuguese is Wolves’ main creator in the middle of the park.
Also capable of the spectacular from long range and free-kicks, Neves will need to be harnessed by Saints’ midfield.
Armel Bella-Kotchap: A Player of the Match performance in midweek carried on the young German’s rapid adjustment to life in the Premier League.
Starting Saints’ last four outings, the 20-year-old has added a calming influence to the backline, which will be needed if points are to be taken on the road.
TOP PERFORMERS
Inclusive of all competitions
Wolves:
Goals:
Traoré, Podence, Jiménez, Neves 1
Assists:
Hee-Chan, Semedo, Guedes, Aït-Nouri 1
Southampton:
Goals:
Ché Adams 4
Ward-Prowse, A. Armstrong, Aribo, Lavia, Walker-Peters, Ballard 1
Assists:
Ward-Prowse, A. Armstrong, Perraud, Mara, Bella-Kotchap, Djenepo, Payne 1
Played: 72
Wolves wins: 26
Draws: 18
Saints wins: 28
January 2022: Wolves 3-1 Saints (Ward-Prowse)
September 2021: Saints 0-1 Wolves
February 2021: Saints 1-2 Wolves (Ings)
February 2021: Wolves 0-2 Saints (Ings, S. Armstrong)
November 2020: Wolves 1-1 Saints (Walcott)
DID YOU KNOW?
- Southampton are looking to win back-to-back away games in the Premier League for the first time since June 2020 after their 2-1 win at Leicester in their last such outing.
- No Premier League side has claimed more points from behind this season than Saints (7), with both of their wins and their one draw coming having conceded the first goal.
- Against Chelsea last time out, Roméo Lavia became the first player born in 2004 to score a Premier League goal, as well as becoming the youngest Belgian to score in the competition (18y 236d). He could become the first player to score more than once as an 18-year-old in the Premier League for Southampton.
KEEP UP TO DATE
Can't make the game? We’ve got you covered! We’ll bring you all of the action from Molineux Stadium, as well as a host of behind-the-scenes access.
Check out our interactive match centre at southamptonfc.com, with all of the live in-game updates and free audio commentary of the match, and be sure to follow us on social media for further updates and exclusive content:
- Instagram
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Snapchat
