Wolves face three Premier League fixtures between 26 December and 3 January over the traditional frantic festive period.
Wolves host Watford, before travelling to Arsenal and then Manchester United. Nuno Espirito Santo oversaw a win at the Emirates Stadium last season.
Three matches within nine days is not an easy ask, even accounting for modern fitness methods, especially two in three days between Boxing Day and 28 December.
How many points will Wolves get from a possible nine? We’ve taken a look…
Watford (H) – Postponed
Wolves got their first goals and win of the season away from home against Watford back in September, but the reverse fixture has been postponed because of Covid cases in Claudio Ranieri’s ranks.
Ranieri has made the Hornets more resilient and dangerous in attack but we still had Wolves down as winning this one before it was called off.
With the tricky away trips ahead, getting three points here to kick off the festive season would have been a boost but the nature of the situation at the moment means teams need to be flexible.
Arsenal (A) – Draw
The corresponding fixture last season was of course the scene for Raul Jimenez’s horrific injury.
The Mexican getting on the scoresheet here would be a sensational story and he will be crucial to any hopes of getting a result.
This game comes just two days after the Watford game, which is a ludicrous turnaround which will have a negative impact on the fitness of the players and the quality of the game.
If Wolves keep it as tight as they have against elite opponents lately, they should be good for at least a draw against an Arsenal side who are still a work in progress.
Manchester United (A) – Draw
The meetings between Wolves and United are always tight. Lage’s men were unlucky to lose August’s reverse fixture 1-0.
In that one, there were heroics from David de Gea and a dubious refereeing decision which contributed to Wolves leaving empty-handed.
United can struggle to unpick organised, determined defences and last season’s meeting at Old Trafford was 0-0 until very late on.
It seems likely it will be tight here again and Wolves can get at least a draw to round off their festive fixtures.
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