Wolves vs. Fulham Betting Tips: Back Mitrovic to be carded in 17/1 Bet Builder

Wolves host Fulham in one of seven fixtures in the top-flight on Saturday. We’ve asked @AnthonyEadson to preview the game and provide us with his best bets. 

Wolves and Fulham endured contrasting results on the opening weekend. The Old Gold suffered a 2-1 defeat away to Leeds United in what was a fairly average showing from Bruno Lage’s side. With a rather thin squad and a lack of goals heading into the new season, there are a few question marks over whether they will be fighting relegation this term.

That being said, a home game to a newly promoted side provides Wolves with the perfect opportunity to get their campaign off and running. Only Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool conceded fewer goals last season than Wolves, and with Raul Jimenez out injured there is more impetus on Pedro Neto and Daniel Podence in attack. New signing Goncalo Guedes could well help in terms of creativity, but may have to settle for a place on the bench here. Nelson Semedo and Adama Traore are both doubts for the hosts.

Fulham put in a tremendous performance against last season’s runners-up Liverpool in their opener, earning themselves a point in an entertaining 2-2 draw. With temperatures of 33 degrees expected in the Black Country on Saturday, one would expect Fulham will find it tough to match the energy levels shown in that game with the Reds. Marco Silva’s side have nothing to fear here based on last week and only have a couple of injuries ahead of this one with both Joe Bryan and Harry Wilson sidelined.

So let’s get stuck into the selections. The main play I’m touting at Molineux is for Pedro Neto to have Over 0.5 shots on target at 11/10 with Unibet. I’m really surprised to see this priced at odds-against, considering Wolves are facing a newly promoted side on home soil, and when taking a look at what other firms have on show, Unibet are a stand-out top price with both bet365 and Betfair going just 8/13.

Even with limited game time last season after his unfortunate injury the season prior, Neto still averaged 0.8 shots on target per 90 minutes. I recommended him hitting the target in my Saturday accumulator last week when priced at 5/6 away at Leeds United, with the 22-year-old doing so in the first-half. This gives even more to the 11/10 on show this weekend when back on home soil, and in the absence of Raul Jimenez I’m expecting Neto to step and hit the target on Saturday.

I’ve also opted for something a bit more of a price courtesy of the Paddy Power Bet Builder feature at 17/1. This three-pronged punt starts with new signing James Collins to have 1+ shot in the match. The centre-back arrived from Burnley this summer and looking back at his data for the Clarets last term, he recorded 1+ shot in seven of his eight home matches, averaging at 1.3 per game across those at Turf Moor. 

Next up It’s Leander Dendoncker who I’m including to have 2+ shots in the match. Last season the Belgian started 10 home Premier League matches, recording 1+ shot in nine of those, 2+ shots in four and 3+ on one occasion. With this selection landing in 40% of home matches last season and odds of 17/10 only implying a 37% chance, I feel we are getting a solid price.

Rounding off the Bet Builder is Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic to pick up a booking. The Serbian loves leaving a foot in on defenders and must be one of the most horrible strikers to play against in the league. He answered his critics, who questioned whether he can cut it at this level, with two goals on the opening weekend, but after 10 yellow cards in the Championship last season, I think he opens his account for cards in Gameweek 2. Referee John Brooks takes charge of this one and despite only officiating four top-flight matches last season, he gave out 21 yellow cards with a healthy average of 5.25 per game. 

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