Sunderland Aim to Complete First League Double Over Wolves Since 1949-50 at Molineux

Key facts

• Sunderland won the reverse fixture 2-0 in October and seek their first league double over Wolves since 1949-50.
• Wolves have lost four of their last five league matches, including three straight defeats by an aggregate score of 8-0.
• Wolves are the Premier League's lowest scorers with 24 goals and have failed to score in a division-high 18 of 34 games.
• Sunderland conceded nine goals in their last two league games, a 5-0 loss to Forest and a 4-3 defeat to Aston Villa.
• Sunderland have kept a clean sheet in each of their last four league meetings with Wolves, a run dating back to April 2012.
• Winger Jocelin Ta Bi could return for Sunderland after ankle surgery, having trained with teammates this week.
• Only three points separate 20th-placed Wolves from 19th-placed Burnley in the Premier League table.

European Ambition Meets Relegated Foe

Sunderland travel to Molineux on Saturday afternoon with a chance to climb back into the top half of the Premier League and push towards the European qualification spots. The Black Cats sit 12th in the table, three points behind seventh-placed Bournemouth with four games remaining. Their opponents, Wolverhampton Wanderers, have already been relegated to the Championship and are playing only for pride under manager Rob Edwards.

A Historic Double in Sight

Sunderland won the reverse fixture 2-0 at the Stadium of Light in October and are now aiming to complete their first league double over Wolves since the 1949-50 season. The Wearside outfit have kept a clean sheet in each of their last four league meetings with Wolves, a run stretching back to April 2012, including back-to-back wins by an aggregate score of 5-0. Wolves, however, have not lost at home to Sunderland in seven league matches, recording three wins and four draws.

Wolves' Offensive Woes and Relegation Reality

Wolves are the Premier League's lowest scorers this season with just 24 goals and have failed to score in a division-high 18 of their 34 games. The last team to endure more goalless matches in a single campaign was Norwich City in 2021-22, who failed to score in 22 games. Since beating reigning champions Liverpool 2-1 at Molineux and drawing 2-2 with Brentford in March, Wolves have suffered three successive defeats to relegation-threatened West Ham, Leeds, and Tottenham, losing 1-0 at home to the latter last weekend. They have lost all four of their Premier League matches against promoted teams this season.

Sunderland's Defensive Collapse and Recovery

Sunderland head into Saturday's contest on the back of a humbling 5-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest, their first home league loss by five or more goals since a 6-1 thrashing by Birmingham City in April 1958. Four of those goals were conceded in the opening 37 minutes. Manager Régis Le Bris described the performance as 'painful' and warned his players that 'when you drop your standards just by 10%, your opponent can kill you'. The result marked their fourth home loss in five matches and followed a 4-3 defeat to Aston Villa, meaning Sunderland have conceded nine goals across their last two league games. Only once in their league history have the Black Cats conceded at least four goals in three successive games, doing so between September and October 1928.

Injury Returns Offer Hope for Sunderland's Attack

Régis Le Bris has confirmed that winger Jocelin Ta Bi could rejoin the squad at Molineux after training with his teammates this week. Ta Bi injured his ankle on his full Premier League debut against Fulham earlier this year and was initially expected to miss the rest of the season following surgery, but he has recovered faster than anticipated. positive news on Bertrand Traoré and Nilson Angulo, who could be involved after stepping up their recoveries at the Academy of Light, though a home meeting with Manchester United next weekend may be a more realistic return. Sunderland have been short of natural wingers in recent weeks, and Le Bris cautioned that all three will need time to hit their stride after lay-offs. He noted that forwards can change games and that their one-v-one threat, runs in behind, crossing, and combinations in tight areas could still make a difference if they settle quickly.

Stakes and Outlook

For Wolves, the season cannot end soon enough. They have accumulated enough points to avoid equalling Derby County's unwanted record low of 11 points from 2007-08, but they sit just three points above managerless Burnley at the foot of the table. A victory over Sunderland would not only provide a rare moment of cheer but also help them climb above the Clarets into 19th place. For Sunderland, the match represents a chance to bounce back from a heavy defeat and keep their European hopes alive. With only four games remaining, every point is vital as they chase Bournemouth in seventh. Le Bris will hope his returning wingers can provide the attacking spark that has been missing in recent weeks.

The bottom line

• Sunderland can complete their first league double over Wolves since 1949-50 with a win at Molineux.
• Wolves have the Premier League's worst attack, scoring only 24 goals and failing to score in 18 of 34 matches.
• Sunderland have conceded nine goals in their last two league games, including a 5-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest.
• Winger Jocelin Ta Bi could return for Sunderland after ankle surgery, faster than initially expected.
• Sunderland are three points behind seventh-placed Bournemouth with four games remaining in the season.
• Wolves are already relegated and are playing for pride, aiming to avoid finishing bottom of the table.