Wolverhampton Wanderers square off against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday afternoon looking to move a step closer to finishing no lower than 12th position in the Premier League standings.
However, Brighton, who have all but avoided relegation with four games to spare, make the trip to Molineux sitting just five points adrift of their hosts.
Match preview
For all of their entertaining football in the final third this season, Brighton needed last weekend's 2-0 victory over Leeds United to effectively secure their top-flight status for another 12 months.
A Pascal Gross penalty and a superbly-taken second from Danny Welbeck ended a run of four games without success for the Seagulls, who now sit 10 points clear of Fulham.
Although Graham Potter will demand that his players do not take their foot off the gas during the run-in, the Brighton boss can at least begin to think about next season, providing that the South-coast outfit are able to retain his services.
Other clubs in the division are allegedly considering an approach during the summer, but the 45-year-old is unlikely to be in any rush to leave the Amex Stadium just two years into a progressing long-term project.
Even with Manchester City, West Ham United and Arsenal to follow this contest, Potter will feel that his group of players have the ability to gain the five points required to record Brighton's most points in a Premier League season.
To a certain degree, Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Nuno Espirito Santo finds himself in a similar situation to his opposite number in the dugout.
Although Wolves are confirmed as a Premier League club for next season, the Portuguese is under pressure from the club's fanbase to use the remaining four fixtures to hand opportunities to the club's prospects.
The likes of Vitinha, Owen Otasowie and Fabio Silva all made a positive impression during the 1-1 draw at Black Country rivals West Bromwich Albion earlier this week.
Nevertheless, supporters want to see that the team selection was not a one-off, especially in the case of Vitinha who they regard as the natural long-term replacement to veteran Joao Moutinho.
After an injury-hit campaign, Wolves deserve credit for avoiding any kind of a relegation battle, but a tough run-in means that they still have work to do to stay above the bottom five teams.
The reverse fixture in January proved to be one of the games of the season with Brighton fighting back to earn a thrilling 3-3 draw.
- L
- L
- W
- W
- L
- D
- W
- L
- D
- D
- L
- W
Team News
Barring any fitness issues, Potter is unlikely to make any alterations to his Brighton starting lineup.
Adam Lallana will not be risked due to a calf problem, while Alexis Mac Allister is expected to remain on the substitutes' bench.
Nuno could hand a start to Max Kilman at left-back after Rayan Ait-Nouri was withdrawn through injury during the latter stages of the West Brom match.
Moutinho is back in contention after being declared fit, but Willy Boly is a certain absentee despite making progress in his recovery from coronavirus.
While Daniel Podence is an alternative to Otasowie on the right flank, Nuno may opt to hand another opportunity to the United States international.
Wolverhampton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Patricio; Semedo, Coady, Saiss, Kilman; Dendoncker, Moutinho; Otasowie, Vitinha, Traore; Silva
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; White, Dunk, Webster; Veltman, Gross, Bissouma, Burn; Trossard, Welbeck; Maupay
We say: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
With both teams producing improved performances in their last fixtures, this has the potential to be an entertaining encounter. However, goals have been an issue all season, and we would not be surprised to see this contest end in a low-scoring draw.
Top tip
Video prediction
Watch the Sports Mole Football Shorts prediction for this game below:
body check tags ::
Previews by email
