Wednesday 17th January 2018 Kick off 1945hrs Swansea v Wolves Football – England – FA Cup There was nothing to choose between Swansea and Wolves when the two met in the original meeting of this tie at Molineux a week past Saturday. Neither team could find a breakthrough and it leaves them fighting out a replay with the prospect of playing Notts County in the fourth round. In truth, a replay was probably the last thing either team wanted considering their current circumstances but now they’re here and there’s a very winnable game awaiting them in the next round, there will still be plenty of desire to get through the tie.
Swansea remain deep in trouble in relation to their Premier League status as they sit at the foot of the table, four points away from safety. Having won his first match in charge in a 2-1 win over Watford, Carlos Carvahal has lost one and drawn two. It may not seem like a hugely positive start, and it isn’t, but it is at least a step towards improvement as the Swans have looked more solid and better defensively since the new coach took charge. Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle is not a bad result but when taking the lead in the second half there would have been hope that they could record another crucial away win. Carvahal chose to rotate his squad for the first leg against Wolves and it’s almost certain that he’ll do so again with the visits of Liverpool and Arsenal to come in the next 10 or so days. Despite being at home they will be big underdogs in both but the reality is that all connected with the club would happily concede an exit from the FA Cup if it meant them getting anything from the league games.
It’s been a slightly frustrating time for Wolves in the early part of 2018 as they have drawn their last two (the first being against Swansea) drawing a blank on both occasions. It’s the first time that they have failed to score in consecutive games since Nuno Espirito Santo took over and something they’ll be looking to rectify on Wednesday. The goalless draw with Barnsley at the weekend done little harm to their chances of automatic promotion as they still hold a 10 point lead over second place Derby. Like his opposite number and fellow countryman, Espirito Santo elected to freshen his team up and give some of his fringe players a run out when the sides met over a week ago. It was a credit to the organisation and attitude of the Championship league leaders that they came out with a draw as they had to play more than half the game with 10 men. That will give them confidence going into the replay as they were relatively untroubled in the second half against Premier League opposition and despite now being an underdog on the road, they have a good away record and ran Manchester City all the way in the League Cup under similar circumstances.
Swansea v Wolves Betting Tip
Swansea never made much impression on their hosts despite having a men extra for the majority of the game in the match at Molineux. It probably shouldn’t come as much surprise considering the Swans are by no means prolific in front of goal and there is a real togetherness about this Wolves outfit just now, even in spite of the changes made by the Championship team. Now at home, there will be more expectation on Swansea but I think the game is set up for Wolves to come and dominate. Their possession-based style of play has been one of the main reasons why they have excelled this term and playing away from home will hold no fears as they have the best away record in the league by some distance, winning nine of their 14 games on the road and losing just twice. They’ve also been sound defensively and if they get their press right early on, they will put a nervous Swansea team under pressure. I tipped up Wolves in the first leg and it was unfortunate to see them reduced to 10 men so early on. I am confident, however, that we will get a return this time around backing the visitors to progress and meet Notts County a week on Saturday.
Wolves 11/5 @ Betfair
