Paul Merson drops bold score prediction for Wolves six-pointer against Crystal Palace .
Wolves are entering must-win territory as they prepare to face Crystal Palace at Molineux on Saturday afternoon.
Wolves showed incredible fight and desire to come back from behind to draw against Brighton last weekend but it’s still no wins for Gary O’Neil from their first nine games.
Despite their precarious position at the bottom of the Premier League, though, O’Neil doesn’t think Wolves’ upcoming fixtures are ‘must-win’.
The Wanderers have been given a 22.2% chance of survival this term and that number would lower drastically if they fail to beat Crystal Palace and Southampton.
Like O’Neil’s men, the Eagles have endured a trialling start to the 2024/25 campaign, leaving it until matchday nine to collect their first win – a 1-0 victory over Tottenham at Selhurst Park.
It leaves Oliver Glasner’s men four points clear of 19th-place Wolves in 17th and increases the importance of this massive fixture.
READ MORE: Wolves expert concerned Gary O’Neil could do something ‘remarkably harsh’ vs Crystal Palace.
Paul Merson predicts Wolves vs Crystal Palace
Following an incredibly difficult fixture run, which has included defeats against the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City, Wolves are now entering a period of winnable matches, starting with Palace.
The Old Gold would plunge themselves deeper into trouble if they tasted defeat to the Eagles, as it would create a seven-point gap, and that is massive at the bottom.
Last weekend, Wolves comeback draw against Brighton showcased the fight and desire that O’Neil has instilled into his players, and Paul Merson thinks that will continue on Saturday.
Predicting the Wanderers to secure a narrow 1-0 win, Merson wrote in his column for Sportskeeda: “If you look at Wolves last weekend, that draw with Brighton did paper over the cracks. This is a must-win game for Wolves and I’m backing them to get their first three points of the season against Crystal Palace.
“Like I said before, the bottom six are all in action against each other and none of them can afford to lose this weekend. If the likes of Leicester, Everton and Palace win, the other three teams would be cut adrift in the race to avoid relegation.”
Tommy Doyle can play key role for Wolves vs Palace
Wolves will need everyone performing at the top of their game to secure a massive three points, and Tommy Doyle is crucial in that regard.
Doyle showed what O’Neil had been missing last time out, grabbing the assist for Matheus Cunha’s equaliser on his first Premier League start of the season.
The 23-year-old offers an element of quality centrally and he’s a calming influence in the middle of the park, recycling possession efficiently and breaking the lines with his passing.
Wolves will need his calm head in midfield to secure their first victory of the season, with the Englishman starting alongside Mario Lemina and Joao Gomes.
