Wolverhampton Wanderers 2022-23 Premier League Preview
Can Wolves finish in the European spots?
Bookmaker Paddy Power
Wolverhampton Wanderers Top-six Odds: 12/1 odds taken 2009 GMT, Friday 24 June
After taking over from the popular Nuno Espirito Santo, Bruno Lage had big boots to fill at Wolverhampton Wanderers last season. The Portuguese recovered well from a shaky start and guided Wolves to a top-half finish. They even flirted with the European places on occasions.
Lage has now had a solid year to stamp his authority at Molineux Stadium, and the Midlands club will be hoping to get back into Europe at the end of the 2022-23 season. In our preview, we take a look ahead to the new campaign and look back on last term. Will we see any new faces in at Molineux? Can Wolves secure a top-seven finish? Take a look below for the latest odds and best predictions.
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Table of Contents
- 1 2021-22 Review: Wolves finish in top half
- 2 Wolves Transfer News: Several outgoings at Molineux
- 3 2022-23 Key Fixtures: Wanderers travel to Leeds on opening day
- 4 Who Are Wanderers’ Biggest Challengers: Will Wanderers be in the European mix?
- 5 Tottenham Hotspur Preview: Conte to guide Spurs to top four again?
- 6 Arsenal Preview: Can the Gunners bring Champions League football back?
- 7 West Ham United Preview: Europe again for the Hammers?
- 8 Leicester City Preview: Foxes to improve this time around?
- 9 Newcastle United Preview: Can the Magpies to secure top-six finish?
- 10 Aston Villa Preview: Big season ahead for Gerrard?
- 11 Player to Watch Out For in the 2022-23 Season: Jimenez back to his best?
- 12 Our Wolverhampton Wanderers Predictions: Top half for Wanderers
2021-22 Review: Wolves finish in top half
Lage’s reign at Molineux got off to a difficult start. Wolves were beaten at Leicester City on the opening weekend before losing 1-0 at home to Nuno’s Tottenham Hotspur a week later. Their misery was compounded with a third successive 1-0 loss, this time at home to Manchester United on matchday three. After five games played, Wanderers were sitting on three points from a possible 15.
However, things started to click for Lage, as Wolves went on to win five of the next seven to fire their way up the table. From mid-December to late February, Wolves picked up six wins from eight matches to put themselves in contention for a European place. However, three straight defeats to Arsenal, West Ham United and Crystal Palace put paid to those slim hopes.
With nothing left to play for, Wolves’ season ended with a bit of a whimper, as they failed to win any of their last seven fixtures (two draws, five defeats). Still, they secured a top-half finish, collecting 51 points from 38 games. Overall, the Midlands outfit won 15, lost 17 and drew six.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Key Facts
- Wolves finished in tenth last term
- Wanderers have been champions of England three times
- Wolves ended last term with five defeats and two draws from seven
- The club were UEFA Cup runners-up back in the 1971-72 season
Wolves Transfer News: Several outgoings at Molineux
Wolves are in a transition period in terms of their squad, with a whole host of players leaving Molineux this summer. No less than ten have departed, including the long-serving Romain Saiss and John Ruddy. Conor Carty, Pascal Estrada, Marcal, Raphael Nya, Jamie Pardington, Faisu Sangare and Ki-Jana Hoever have also been released.
Ryan Giles, who spent time on loan in the EFL Championship at Cardiff City and Blackburn Rovers last term, has moved to Middlesbrough on loan. Meanwhile, starlet Morgan Gibbs-White has been linked with Premier League new boys Nottingham Forest.
At this moment in time, Wolves have yet to announce any new signings, but that is sure to change before the season gets underway. Wanderers are reportedly keen on Hull City wonderkid Keane Lewis-Potter, though several Premier League are also looking to land his signature. Matheus Nunes has also been linked.
2022-23 Key Fixtures: Wanderers travel to Leeds on opening day
Wolves begin their 2022-23 season with a tough-looking trip to Elland Road to take on Leeds United. Wanderers first home match will see them face Championship champions Fulham. In September, the Midlands club play Liverpool and Manchester City in successive games.
Their final matchup before the FIFA World Cup break will be against Arsenal at Molineux in mid-November. Wolves have a tough finish to their campaign, as they play Manchester United, Everton and Arsenal in their last three.
Who Are Wanderers’ Biggest Challengers: Will Wanderers be in the European mix?
Under Nuno, Wolves played UEFA Europa League football, reaching the quarter-finals in 2020. They had a mixed 2020-21 campaign, finishing in 13th. However, they improved last term, with Lage guiding the club to tenth in his first year in charge.
Wolves were in the mix for the European spots at stages last season, but the squad certainly ran out of steam in the latter weeks. Nevertheless, if they can get some fresh faces in, Wolves could be a force to be reckoned with in the race for Europe this season. Who will be the club’s biggest rivals?
Tottenham Hotspur Preview: Conte to guide Spurs to top four again?
In Antonio Conte, Tottenham Hotspur have one of the best managers in world football. The Italian guided Spurs to a top-four finish against all odds last term, with the north Londoners edging out Arsenal in the race to the final UEFA Champions League place. Conte described the achievement as one of the best of his career.
We never really know what to expect from this current crop of Tottenham players. However, with Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son up top, the Lilywhites have one of the best strike forces in the Premier League, which could get even stronger this summer. Conte is more than capable of attracting the world’s best players to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and the Lilywhites could challenge at the top end of the table this season.
Arsenal Preview: Can the Gunners bring Champions League football back?
After years away from the Champions League, getting back into the top four will be Arsenal’s priority this season. The Gunners missed out in agonising fashion last term, with rivals Tottenham pipping them to the post on the last day.
Arsenal are definitely building something good under Mikel Arteta, but winning the Premier League title seems way off right now. Still, the Gunners will be desperate to bring Champions League football back to the Emirates Stadium after years away from Europe’s elite club competition.
West Ham United Preview: Europe again for the Hammers?
Under the experienced David Moyes, West Ham United have been the surprise package in the Premier League over the past couple of seasons or so. The Hammers finished sixth in the 2020-21 campaign to book their spot in the Europa League.
West Ham have turned themselves into a genuine top-four contender, and they have qualified for Europe via their league position two years running for the first time in the club’s history. The Irons have a tough start against the Premier League champions, but West Ham will relish the opportunity of upsetting one of the big boys early doors.
Leicester City Preview: Foxes to improve this time around?
The 2020-21 season was a memorable one for Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester. The Midlands club beat Chelsea in the FA Cup final to win the trophy for the first time in their history. They finished fifth in the league, losing out on a place in the top four on the final day for the second season running.
Leicester failed to replicate those heights last season. However, Rodgers is one of the most experienced managers in the Premier League, and the Foxes will surely improve on last season’s eighth-place finish. Leicester will be hoping to be in the mix for the European slots this time around.
Newcastle United Preview: Can the Magpies to secure top-six finish?
Backed by very generous owners, Newcastle United have an open chequebook this summer. They made some huge signings back in January, and Eddie Howe’s Magpies won several matches to finish in 11th spot. It was a remarkable turnaround for Newcastle, who spent the first half of the season in the bottom three.
At the time of writing, Newcastle are the seventh favourites behind the top six to win the title. It may be too early to think about being top dogs in England, but the Magpies may just break into Europe this term, while the cup competitions could also take priority at St James’.
Aston Villa Preview: Big season ahead for Gerrard?
After a solid season, Steven Gerrard is starting to build something at Villa Park. The boss has already made some superb signings, and his legendary status as a player allows him to attract top players, with Philippe Coutinho already arriving from Barca this summer.
Many bookies and pundits alike have tipped Aston Villa for a mid-table finish, but can the Midlands outfit sneak into Europe this season?
Player to Watch Out For in the 2022-23 Season: Jimenez back to his best?
Raul Jimenez has been linked with a move away from Molineux this summer, with Italian giants AC Milan allegedly sniffing around. However, Lage will be hopeful of keeping the Mexican in the Midlands.
Jimenez returned from a horror injury last season and ended the campaign as Wolves’ top goalscorer with six Premier League goals to his name. If the No. 9 stays at Molineux, we fully expect him to be back to his goalscoring best this season.
Our Wolverhampton Wanderers Predictions: Top half for Wanderers
Finishing in the European spots could be harder than ever this season. Wolves might miss out on the top seven, but we fancy Lage’s men to finish in the top half once again. Wanderers are currently priced at 9/4 for a top-half finish.
However, if you are feeling brave enough, eye-opening odds of 12/1 for Wolves to sneak into the top six are certainly worth checking out.
