Wolverhampton Wanderers (4-3-7) vs. Burnley (2-1-11)
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Burnley 12/5/23 – Two teams struggling for consistency in the English Premier League meet on Tuesday as the Wolverhampton Wanderers host Burnley. The Wolves have shown some offensive bite lately but still have issues keeping the ball out of their own net. Burnley sits second from bottom of the EPL table and desperately needs to start picking up wins. Notably, these standings are a critical factor for top EPL tips today, as they give a glimpse into each team’s form and potential performance.
Wolverhampton Wanderers, known for their formidable offensive strategies, will lean heavily on Hwang Hee-Chan, Matheus Cunha and Mario Lemina as top scorers for this match-up. Hwang has scored seven goals and two assists while Matheus Cunha has proven adept at finding the net. These top players pose significant threats against Burnley’s defense which has shown vulnerabilities throughout previous matches.
Burnley should not be underestimated despite their lower standing; their top scorers, Josh Brownhill and Lyle Foster, have shown moments of brilliance on the field. Brownhill’s midfield control combined with Foster’s agility could potentially break through Wolverhampton’s defense; for Burnley it will be key to find any gaps in Wolverhampton backline while using Amdouni to create chances.
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Burnley 12/5/23 Game Info
| When: | Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at 2:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Molineux |
| TV: | |
| Stream: |
José Sá GK vs. James Trafford GK
Wolves keeper José Sá has been steady if unspectacular between the sticks this campaign. In his 14 starts, Sá has notched 46 saves and kept 1 clean sheet. While capable of impressive stops, the fact he’s faced so many shots shows Wolves’ defensive vulnerabilities. With Sá’s savvy and quick reflexes, he still gives his team a chance against the Clarets’ aggressive attacking style. If he can minimize his mistakes and control his box on set pieces, Wolves have the edge in net over hapless Burnley. But Sá must stay sharp for the full 90 minutes given Burnley’s penchant to push for late goals even when trailing.
On the other side, Burnley’s netminder James Trafford has endured growing pains. In his 14 starts, Trafford has corralled 47 saves but allowed a bloated 30 goals while only preserving 1 clean sheet. Against Wolves’ dynamic scorers, his inexperience shows. Trafford has also faced disciplinary issues with 1 yellow card, indicating frustration and mental lapses. If Trafford doesn’t keep a cool head from the opening whistle, an avalanche of Wolves’ goals could bury Burnley early. For the Clarets to hang around, Trafford must improve his decision-making and focus against the Premier League’s top attacks. But his relative inconsistency so far means he remains a liability Burnley must overcome to have a chance.
Soccer Odds/Point Spread: Wolverhampton -118, Total Odds: 2.5
The Wolves are narrow favorites at home. With both teams missing key defenders, an uptempo shootout with plenty of goals could be coming. The over on the generous total also looks enticing between two offense-first opponents.
Wolverhampton Betting Trends
The recent betting trends for Wolves help explain why they are slim favorites against the lowly Clarets despite their own middling form. In their last 5 games, Wolves have gone just 2-3 against the spread. Meanwhile, totals have trended heavily to the over in their matches lately with 3 of their last 5 and 4 of their last 6 at home going over the posted total of 2.5 goals. Wolves are a hard team to predict with how much they’ve struggled of late, making them an intriguing betting option in any direction.
Burnley Betting Trends
For Burnley, current betting trends indicate they are leaky at the back while showing glimmers of formidable attacking play. In their previous 5 matches, Burnley has also played to the over at a high rate with 2 of their last 5 overall going over the total. That rate increases dramatically to 6 of their last 8 road games having total goals eclipse 2.5. Clearly on their travels Burnley’s defense becomes extremely porous. Their offense also seems to show up more outside of Turf Moor, giving underdog Burnley upset potential while contributing to high-scoring shootouts.
Wolverhampton vs. Burnley 12/5/23 Betting Picks
In a game between two teams with defensive issues and attacking talent, picking the over 2.5 goals seems the savvy play. Wolves should control the run of play at home, but their back line remains vulnerable. Burnley also won’t sit back and will take chances going forward. For the best sports handicappers‘ top picks, take the over here for an exciting, open contest.
The moneyline odds essentially make this game a toss-up once the draw possibility is factored in. Wolves likely deserve to be bigger favorites based on talent, but their poor form means value lies with backing the home side. Wolves have enough firepower to claim a 2-1 or 3-2 type of win.
Free Pick and Prediction: Wolverhampton 3, Burnley 1.