Wolves v Southampton Tips: JWP the main shots play in the West Midlands
Another early evening game sees us head to the Molineux where Wolverhampton Wanderers host struggling Southampton in the 5th round of the FA Cup. Live on BT Sport with a 17:30 kick off, we will be picking the bones to unearth some value in this battle between two Premier League sides fighting for a place in the quarter-finals.
Wolves head into this as favourites priced at 11/8, the draw 23/10 and Southampton at 9/4. Both teams have been struggling to pick up points in the Premier League of late with Wolves only taking five points from their last six matches and Southampton losing five on the bounce!
Wolves will be without regular starters Daniel Podence, Wily Boly and of course Raul Jiminez after the horrific clash of heads with David Luiz back in November which left him with a fractured skull. With Minamino cup tied, this could make way for a return to the starting eleven for Djenepo who was side-lined in the 3-2 defeat at the weekend away to Newcastle.
With under 2.5 goals being priced hugely odds on, the bookmakers aren’t expecting a goal fest in the West Midlands on Thursday evening, however, I think there is definitely some value in backing both teams to score here at a shade of odds on.
Wolves have been leaking goals this season having only kept three clean sheets in their last eighteen Premier League matches. Southampton have also been extremely suspect at the back shipping a disastrous sixteen goals in only their last four matches, nine of which came at the hands of the Red Devils who took full advantage of Southampton essentially starting the game with ten men.
With both teams looking suspect in regards to defending, I am expecting both teams to fancy their chances at qualifying for the quarter-finals which I think makes this 10/11 good value.
JWP has two goals in his last six starts, including a ludicrous free-kick in their 3-2 defeat at Newcastle at the weekend. With his incredible right foot, he has been pivotal for Southampton going forward by putting defences on edge whenever he picks up the ball in the opponents third.
He has registered a shot on target in three of his last four matches (one v Newcastle, one v Man Utd and one v Arsenal). 13/10 to have another tomorrow evening looks great value, with most books going odds on for the same outcome.
The attacking players for Wolves have been incredibly successful in getting their opposition to commit fouls this season, none more so than Adama Traore. The Spaniard has been fouled eleven times in his last three starts and with his direct, powerful approach; he is going to be more than a handful for the 31 year old left back.
Bertrand isn’t shy of a going into the book either. He has been carded an incredible five times in his last ten matches (50%) and has to deal with one of the most feared wingers in the Premier League right now. Priced at 4/1 (20%) to go into the book with both Betfair and bet365 is just a price that cannot be ignored.
