Wolves vs Manchester United predictions: Hosts can extend unbeaten run
- Wolves are unbeaten in their last seven games in all competitions
- Manchester United have won six of the teams' last seven meetings
- Recommended bet: Draw
Wolves are just three points behind Manchester United in the Premier League standings after 21 games and the home team will be in good spirits as they prepare to host the Red Devils on Thursday.
Wolves are coming off a convincing 2-0 win over local rivals West Brom in a highly-charged derby tie in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday, which extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to seven games.
That includes taking ten points from their last four league games with wins over Chelsea, Brentford and Everton and an away draw at Brighton.
Refocusing to a midweek game just four days after such an emotional occasion could be tough for Wolves against less imposing opponents.
However, they should not lack motivation against a Manchester United team who have had their number in recent years, winning six of the teams' last seven meetings, including the last three clashes without conceding a goal.
Raphael Varane scored the only goal of the game in the second half when the teams met at Old Trafford in their first outings of the season in August and Wolves will be looking to give another good account of themselves in the return.
United's form remains unconvincing even though they are on a three-game unbeaten run of their own, but the wins were both FA Cup ties against lower-league opponents as they beat League One Wigan 2-0 and League Two Newport 4-2 either side of a 2-2 draw with Tottenham at Old Trafford, when they were pegged back twice after taking the lead.
The pressure is on United as they bid to improve their league position but they have lost half of their 10 Premier League away games so far and need to raise their game generally.
Team news
Wolves could field a similar team to the one which faced West Brom on Sunday. Joao Gomes is available again after serving a three-game suspension, although Tommy Doyle has done well while the Brazilian has been out.
Hee-Chan Hwang and Boubacar Traore remain on international duty at the Asian Cup and Africa Cup of Nations respectively, but Rayan Ait-Nouri returned to the squad against Albion after playing for Algeria at AFCON.
Wolves' only injury worry is Pablo Sarabia, who missed Sunday's game with a calf issue.
Anthony Martial remains sidelined for United with a hip injury and Sofyan Amrabat is still at the Africa Cup of Nations, but goalkeeper Andre Onana has returned after representing Cameroon and could feature.
Marcus Rashford is available after missing the FA Cup game for disciplinary reasons and Aaron Wan-Bissaka could also be back after missing the Newport game due to illness. Mason Mount, Victor Lindelof and Tyrell Malacia are doubtful due to injuries.
The stats
Wolves are unbeaten in their last nine home games, winning six and drawing three.
Wolves have scored in 23 of their 26 matches this season.
Both teams have scored in four of Manchester United's last five games.
The Red Devils have scored 12 goals in their last five matches.
Both teams have scored in only one of the last 10 head-to-head meetings between these two.
United have won six of the teams' last seven encounters.
Prediction
The good times are rolling for Wolves after their cherished FA Cup success on Sunday and they have a good chance of at least extending their unbeaten run to eight games by denying Manchester United a road success on Thursday.
It's hard to have too much faith in Wanderers finding the key to beating United after their miserable run in their recent head-to-head games, though, as they have not even scored in four of the teams' last five meetings.
United also fail to convince at the moment and while they have managed to beat EFL opponents in two of their last three games, this is a far more difficult test.
The Red Devils are just favoured in the betting but there's not much between the odds of the teams and the value bet appears to be backing the draw at a much better price than is available for either side to win.
A score draw seems a more likely outcome despite the lack of goals in the teams' recent clashes as Wolves have been shut out in only three of their 26 games in all competitions this season, while United have been in decent scoring form with 12 goals in their last five games.
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