Fresh from a third win in four games, Wolverhampton Wanderers now seek a third straight victory over Fulham when the two Premier League outfits collide at Molineux on Tuesday evening.
Vitor Pereira's men capitalised on Bournemouth's indiscipline in a 1-0 triumph over the Cherries at the weekend, whereas the Cottagers were no match for London rivals Crystal Palace in a 2-0 beating.
Match preview
© Iconsport
Needing just five minutes to make the most of their numerical advantage, Wolves put a serious dent in Bournemouth's ambitious Champions League aspirations on the South Coast over the weekend, where Ilya Zabarnyi took the walk of shame for a crunching tackle on Rayan Ait-Nouri.
Ten men or not, the Cherries still should have defended Marshall Munetsi's 36th-minute cross into the box better, as the Zimbabwean's delivery somehow evaded every black and red shirt before falling at the feet of the clinical Matheus Cunha.
The in-demand Brazilian kept his composure to bag his 13th Premier League goal of the campaign, one that proved telling at the Vitality Stadium and propelled Wolves five points clear of Ipswich Town and Leicester City - both of whom lost in gameweek 26 - in the top-flight table.
Also rejoicing in recent wins over Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers - both of which were to nil - the hosts' only loss from their last four contests in all competitions came away to Premier League leaders Liverpool last weekend, and even then they gave the Reds a brilliant run for their money in the second 45.
Pereira's rejuvenated men now seek to pull off a feat that they have not managed in almost exactly 12 months, winning back-to-back Premier League games at home, but four of their previous five top-flight victories at Molineux have been immediately followed by a defeat.
© Imago
Speaking of home defeats, Marco Silva's Fulham were condemned to an increasingly rare one on Saturday afternoon, where the travelling Crystal Palace faithful certainly enjoyed former defender Joachim Andersen turning the ball into the back of his own net for their side's first.
From an erstwhile Eagles defender to a current one, marauding right-back Daniel Munoz completed the job with a thunderous finish into the roof of the net from a tight angle, thus helping to end Fulham's three-match winning sequence and harming their ambitions of Europe.
The Cottagers are still clinging onto a top-half place in the Premier League standings, though, and they will remain within touching distance of the top seven no matter what transpires in Sunday's fixtures, so continental football could very well still be on offer at Craven Cottage next term.
The alarm bells should not be sounded just yet, though, as Fulham head to Molineux with an exceptional set of away statistics to fall back on; they have won their last three on the road, have scored twice in each of their last six and have not failed to make the net bulge in any game on rival turf since August's loss to Manchester United.
However, Silva's side were memorably the victims of some more Cunha magic in November's harrowing 4-1 loss to Wolves, who also prevailed 2-1 at Molineux last March and have only been beaten in one of their last nine matches against their capital counterparts.
Team News
© Imago
Wolves left-back Ait-Nouri was able to dust himself down and continue after Zabarnyi's red card-worthy challenge, but he was then forced off 10 minutes from time with a knock, albeit one that should not impact his availability for midweek.
Ait-Nouri's availability will be critical given that Rodrigo Gomes is still nursing a pelvic problem, while Sasa Kalajdzic (knee), Yerson Mosquera (knee), Emmanuel Agbadou (unspecified), Hwang Hee-chan (hamstring), Leon Chiwone (knee) and Enso Gonzalez (knee) are also missing, and Pereira also expects Goncalo Guedes (knee) to sit this one out.
Eighteen-year-old Pedro Lima should step into Ait-Nouri's shoes on the left-hand if need be, while Jorgen Strand Larsen is now back in contention up front, having made a return from a hamstring problem at Bournemouth.
While Wolves suffered one new concern at the weekend, Fulham boss Silva has two fresh blows to work around, as both Emile Smith Rowe and Tom Cairney - a second-half substitute - sustained injuries in the loss to Palace.
Silva is still unsure on the availability of both men for Tuesday's game, but the Cottagers are definitely without Harry Wilson (foot), Kenny Tete (knee) and Reiss Nelson, the latter of whom has undergone season-ending hamstring surgery.
Smith Rowe's loss should be either Willian or Andreas Pereira's gain this week, while Raul Jimenez should keep Rodrigo Muniz at bay to start against the club he netted 57 goals in 166 appearances for.
Wolverhampton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Sa; Doherty, Toti, Bueno; Semedo, Gomes, Andre, Ait-Nouri; Bellegarde, Munetsi; Cunha
Fulham possible starting lineup:
Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Lukic; Traore, Pereira, Iwobi; Jimenez
We say: Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 Fulham
Scoring goals away from home is one of Fulham's strong points, but the Cottagers now square up to an increasingly resilient Wolves side who put them to the sword convincingly earlier this season.
Tuesday's contest should be closer in terms of the scoreline, but Pereira's attackers all looked lively at the weekend, and with Strand Larsen also returning to offer another imposing option up front, we can picture the hosts picking up another crucial three points in the fight against the drop.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ben Knapton
