Sunderland Aim for 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 been relegated to the Championship and are the Premier League's lowest scorers with 24 goals in 34 games.
• Wolves have failed to score in a division-high 18 of 34 matches, the most since Norwich City in 2021-22 (22).
• Sunderland lost 5-0 at home to Nottingham Forest last week, their first home league loss by five or more goals since a 6-1 defeat to Birmingham City in April 1958.
• Sunderland have conceded nine goals across their last two league games (5-0 vs Forest, 4-3 vs Aston Villa).
• Wolves have lost all four Premier League matches against promoted teams this season.
• Sunderland sit 12th in the table, three points behind seventh-placed Bournemouth with four games remaining.
• Wolves have not lost at home to Sunderland in seven league matches (W3 D4).

A Tale of Two Seasons Collide at Molineux

Sunderland travel to Molineux on Saturday afternoon carrying the weight of a historic humiliation, while their hosts, Wolverhampton Wanderers, are already counting down the days until a season from hell finally ends. For the Black Cats, the objective is clear: climb back into the top half of the Premier League table and push toward the European spots. For Wolves, already relegated, the only remaining motivation is pride. Sunderland's 5-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest last weekend was their first league loss by five or more goals at the Stadium of Light since a 6-1 thrashing by Birmingham City in April 1958. Four of those goals came in the opening 37 minutes, a collapse that manager Regis Le Bris described as “painful,” warning his players that “when you drop your standards just by 10%, your opponent can kill you.” The result dropped Sunderland to 12th in the table, but with four games remaining, they sit just three points behind Bournemouth in seventh — the final European qualification berth. The margin for error, however, has evaporated.

Wolves' Relegation Confirmed After Dismal Campaign

Wolverhampton Wanderers cannot wait for the 2025-26 campaign to conclude. Rob Edwards’s side saw their relegation to the Championship confirmed earlier this month, ending a top-flight stay that had lasted since their promotion in 2018. Since beating reigning Premier League champions Liverpool 2-1 at Molineux and drawing 2-2 with Brentford in March, Wolves have lost three consecutive matches to relegation-threatened West Ham, Leeds and Tottenham by an aggregate score of 8-0. Last weekend, they fell 1-0 at home to Tottenham. Wolves are the Premier League’s lowest scorers this season with just 24 goals in 34 games. They have failed to score in a division-high 18 of those matches — the last team to endure a more barren run was Norwich City in the 2021-22 campaign, who drew a blank in 22 games. Under Edwards, Wolves have at least accumulated enough points to avoid Derby County’s unwanted record of 11 points from the 2007-08 season, the lowest total in Premier League history. They now aim to climb above managerless Burnley, who occupy 19th spot, with just three points separating the two sides.

Sunderland's Defensive Woes Threaten European Ambitions

Sunderland’s defensive fragility has become a pressing concern. Across their last two league games, the Black Cats have conceded nine goals — the 5-0 defeat to Forest followed a 4-3 loss to Aston Villa. Only once in their league history have Sunderland conceded at least four goals in three successive matches, a feat dating back to September and October 1928. Le Bris must urgently address the backline if his side are to keep their European hopes alive. Yet Sunderland have fared well in recent encounters with Wolves. They have kept a clean sheet in each of their last four league meetings, a run stretching back to April 2012, and have recorded back-to-back wins by an aggregate score of 5-0. A victory on Saturday would complete their first league double over the Old Gold since the 1949-50 season.

Wolves' Home Record Offers Faint Hope Against Promoted Foes

Despite their dire season, Wolves can draw some comfort from their record at Molineux against Sunderland: they are unbeaten in seven home league games against the Black Cats, with three wins and four draws. However, that statistic masks a troubling trend — Wolves have lost all four of their Premier League matches against promoted teams this season. Sunderland, promoted last summer, will be eager to extend that losing streak to five. The reverse fixture in October saw Sunderland triumph 2-0 at the Stadium of Light, a result that underlined the gulf in fortunes between the two sides. For Wolves, the priority now is to avoid finishing bottom of the table, a fate that would compound the ignominy of relegation.

European Qualification Still Within Reach for Le Bris' Men

Sunderland’s defeat to Forest was their fourth home loss in five matches, a run that has stalled their momentum. Yet the mathematics remain favourable: three points behind Bournemouth in seventh with four games to play. The Black Cats’ remaining fixtures include matches against mid-table sides and relegation battlers, offering a plausible path to a top-seven finish. Le Bris has stressed the need for consistency, warning that a 10% drop in standards can prove fatal. Saturday’s trip to Molineux represents an immediate test of character. A win would not only restore confidence but also keep pressure on Bournemouth and other rivals for the European places.

Historic Double in Sight for Sunderland

Sunderland have not completed a league double over Wolves since the 1949-50 season, a gap of 76 years. The Black Cats have already won the reverse fixture 2-0, and a victory at Molineux would etch their names into the club’s record books. For Wolves, avoiding that indignity is one of the few remaining motivators in a season that has offered little else. The match also carries statistical significance: Sunderland have kept clean sheets in each of their last four league meetings with Wolves, a run that includes two wins and two draws. If they can extend that streak to five, they will likely leave Molineux with three points and renewed hope of European football next season.

The bottom line

• Sunderland can complete their first league double over Wolves since 1949-50 with a win at Molineux.
• Wolves have been relegated and are the Premier League's lowest scorers with 24 goals in 34 games.
• Sunderland conceded nine goals in their last two league matches, raising defensive concerns.
• Wolves have lost all four Premier League matches against promoted teams this season.
• Sunderland sit three points behind seventh-placed Bournemouth with four games remaining.
• Wolves are unbeaten in seven home league games against Sunderland (W3 D4).