Southampton-Wolverhampton Preview

Wolves coach Bruno Lage and Southampton counterpart Ralph Hasenhuttl know the importance of patience after busy transfer windows.

Lage's men spent big on Matheus Nunes, as well as bringing in Nathan Collins, Goncalo Guedes and Sasa Kalajdzic; only Collins had previously played in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, Saints signed huge numbers of players – many of them young, including four from Manchester City.

For both teams then, it is important not to rush their new men as they adjust to a new level.

"When everyone was worried about the squad, I told the fans to have patience," Lage said. "It has happened in the last two weeks. We brought top players to rebuild the team.

"The fans had patience to rebuild the squad. Now they need patience for them to adapt to a new club and the intensity of the Premier League."

Hasenhuttl knows only too well Southampton must treat their young prospects carefully, having already seen teenage midfielder Romeo Lavia go down with an injury.

"It's not so difficult (to be patient)," Hasenhuttl said. "It's harder to find the balance of enthusiasm and a high level.

"Romeo Lavia is injured after two intense games in a short space of time, which could have been too much for him. We have to be careful not to overload them with the intense games coming up. It's something they'll get adapted to quickly we hope."

Wolves – Matheus Nunes

Nunes looked like being an attacking threat from midfield in a bright debut at Tottenham but then struggled against Newcastle United, before Wolves were held to a disappointing draw at Bournemouth. While Lage is staying patient, he will soon expect Nunes to deliver.

Southampton – Adam Armstrong

Armstrong's first season at Southampton was a testing one, but playing from the left, some of the goalscoring pressure has been relieved. He responded with the winner against Chelsea and will hope to kickstart an improved run in front of goal.

– Wolves have won four of their last five Premier League games against Southampton (D1), including each of the last three in a row. They had only won four of their previous 19 against Saints in the top flight before this (D5 L10).

– Southampton are winless in their last six away league games against Wolves (D3 L3), since a 6-0 victory in March 2007 in the Championship.

– Since their return to the Premier League in 2018, Wolves have scored four penalty goals against Southampton – no team has scored more from the spot against a specific opponent in that time.

– Wolves have drawn each of their last three Premier League home games, including both so far this season. The last side to draw each of their opening three home matches of a Premier League campaign were Sunderland in 2014-15; Wolves themselves last did so in the top flight in 1899-1900.

– Southampton are looking to win back-to-back away games in the Premier League for the first time since June 2020 after their 2-1 win at Leicester City in their last such outing. However, Saints have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last 16 matches on the road in the league, their longest run without an away shutout since February 2010 (a run of 21).

Updated September 2, 2022