Crystal Palace-Wolverhampton Preview

Ruben Neves is determined to help Wolves enjoy a "special night" against Crystal Palace on Tuesday, as the hosts look to move further clear of danger at Molineux.

Wolves are six points clear of the Premier League's relegation zone, having posted back-to-back home wins over Chelsea and Brentford before slipping to a 2-1 defeat at Leicester City on Saturday.

Wolves were bottom of the table when Julen Lopetegui took charge in November, and though the Spaniard has inspired an impressive turnaround, skipper Neves is desperate to finish the job.

"It will be a big battle until the end because there are a lot of fantastic teams all fighting for the same thing," he said.

"We want to go into every game thinking the same thing - we want to win every single game. Every single game is like a final.

"The spirit is really good, as always. Everyone is fighting for the same thing and we are really motivated to achieve our aim and it's a big game on Tuesday against a big team again in Palace.

"They have fantastic players, but I hope we will make it a special night at Molineux again."

Sitting three points above Wolves following Saturday's goalless draw with Everton, Palace are likely safe after going unbeaten in their four games since Roy Hodgson's return to the dugout.

Despite seeing Everton stand firm at Selhurst Park last time out, Hodgson has been delighted by their return upturn.

"If you're going to have a good Premier League season, you've got to have all sorts of types of games. It gave me satisfaction to come away with a clean sheet," he said.

"On another day, it could have gone a slightly better way for us, but I'm still satisfied that it's four games now without defeat, that it's 10 points from those four games."

Wolves - Joao Gomes

Gomes has added bite to Wolves' midfield since his January arrival from Flamengo, even keeping captain Neves out of the starting lineup for Saturday's defeat at Leicester.

In that game, Gomes led his team-mates for duels won (10), tackles (three) and possession recovered (11), while his total of 14 passes into the final third was only beaten by Matheus Cunha's 15.

Crystal Palace - Eberechi Eze

No Palace player has been involved in more Premier League goals this season than Eze's 10, with the creative midfielder scoring seven and assisting three.

He also has a strong record against Tuesday's opponents, scoring on each of his two top-flight starts against Wolves.

Crystal Palace have won their last four Premier League games against Wolves - they have never won five in a row against a single opponent in the competition before.

Lopetegui's hosts have won five of their last seven Premier League matches at Molineux, as many as in their previous 18 on their own turf (D3 L10). They are looking to win three home Premier Leagues in a row for just the second time, having previously done so in November 2021.

Hodgson, however, has overseen a four-game unbeaten run since returning to Palace (W3 D1) - the Eagles had failed to win in 12 top-flight contests immediately prior to his arrival.

Wolves 37.7 per cent

Crystal Palace31.9 per cent

Draw 30.4 per cent

Updated April 24, 2023