Chris Sutton points out the ‘problem’ at Wolves as he predicts the winner in Fulham fixture

Chris Sutton believes Wolves have a major issue if they want to stay up in the Premier League, as he predicts their game against Fulham.

The Old Gold travel to London on Saturday afternoon to face the Cottagers, and they simply have to win to provide fans with any hope of survival this season.

Things right now are bleak, but three points to close the gap to 17th could give supporters just that tiny bit of optimism.

Wolves will likely be without Matt Doherty and Rodrigo Gomes as the club awaits results from scans on their injuries they picked up against Chelsea, and that is a big blow for this weekend’s game.

History points towards a Wolves win, but with how things are looking, Vitor Pereira’s side are no doubt the underdogs.

Sutton predicts Fulham vs Wolves

We are now in must-win territory for Wolves and for Vitor Pereira.

Defeat at Craven Cottage could signal the end of his time at the club, and it would likely send the Old Gold into the international break still without a win.

Fulham are struggling at the moment, and they are Pereira’s best chance at picking up three points in November, if he lasts that long, with Chelsea, Crystal Palace, and Aston Villa looming.

However, Chris Sutton believes Wolves have a major problem on the pitch right now and that they are conceding too many goals in his weekly predictions column.

• READ MORE: Paul Merson gives brutal Wolves verdict as he predicts the score against Fulham

Sutton said via BBC Sport, “This is massive for both teams. Wolves thumped Fulham here last season, winning 4-1 in one of Gary O’Neil’s final games in charge before Vitor Pereira took over – and boy how Pereira could do with a similar result this time too.

“It doesn’t get much worse for a manager than arguing with your own fans, which is what happened after Wolves lost to Burnley last time out, and Pereira’s side are bottom without a league win this season.

“Fulham are on an awful run too, suffering four straight defeats. They haven’t always played too badly, but you can just sense the confidence sapping out of them.

“Wolves’ problem is they are conceding too many – currently their average is more than two goals a game – and I don’t think you can stay in the Premier League doing that.

“Pereira shored things up when he first came in – O’Neil’s Wolves conceded 40 from their 16 league games last season before Pereira took charge, then only let in 21 goals in their next 16 under him.

“That’s what he has to do again, but it is clear they have not replaced the players they sold in the summer with the same quality, and there is no sign he will stop them leaking goals.

“This is the sort of game where I actually fancy both teams to lose but I am going to back Fulham to edge it at home.”

In the end, Chris Sutton predicted a 2-1 win for Fulham.

Wolves could go on longest winless run since 2012

From February 2012 to August 2012, Wolves went on a winless league run of 15 games, and they are currently on 13.

A loss to Fulham would almost certainly make them match that record, as a win against Chelsea the following week would be quite unlikely as things stand.

The Old Gold went three goals down to the Blues at Molineux but clawed it back in the second half. Their efforts were not rewarded, as the first 45 minutes proved too damaging, and they exited the Carabao Cup 4-3.

However, when they travel to Stamford Bridge, Chelsea will be well aware of the dangers the Wanderers possess, and they’ll want to avoid shipping so many goals again.

This makes Fulham all the more important. So let’s hope the players can finally kickstart this season, but Pereira does have quite a few difficult decisions to make.

Tolu Arokodare and David Moller Wolfe have earned a start, but it remains to be seen if Vitor Pereira will reward their performance against Chelsea.

Additionally, the head coach must weigh up the pros and cons of starting one of his favourites, as he may actually be a hindrance.