Wolverhampton-Crystal Palace Preview

Steve Davis considered Wolves' vital win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday the first of many "little steps" required as they now visit Crystal Palace.

Davis has stepped in as coach on an interim basis after Bruno Lage was sacked with Wolves battling at the bottom of the Premier League table.

Victory over fellow strugglers Forest eased the situation a little, but Davis' side are still only a point and a place above the bottom three.

Palace are a further point better off, up in the 13th, and provide Wolves' next opponents.

"You need that type of performance and result (like against Forest)," Davis said. "They knew the importance of the game, we didn't really need to highlight it before the game; you could see in the dressing room they were ready.

"To get the result was fantastic for us in terms of giving everyone a boost.

"They worked hard the last couple of weeks for us, and although you work hard and have a good week, things look good, it doesn't always guarantee the results.

"To get the result, hopefully it's now one step forward, and that's all we've got to do, take little steps at a time."

Palace boss Patrick Vieira is expecting to face a motivated Wolves team, as he added: "There is not a good time or a bad time to play Wolverhampton or any other team.

"We know where they are at the moment, we know their strengths and we know that we have to perform at our best.

"We have to play well as a team. We know which parts of the game we have to improve and we will focus on those elements to allow us to win those games.

"We are going to face a team who are well organised. There is no doubt about their organisation. It will be challenging because they want to get out of their position and we want to get higher."

Crystal Palace - Eberechi Eze

Eze inspired Palace's last win against Leeds United, but they lacked cutting edge in a dreary goalless draw at Leicester City on Saturday, with the midfielder this time unable to fire. He may need to be at his creative best against a solid Wolves side.

Wolves - Ruben Neves

Wolves perhaps rely on Neves to do far too much. He has spent recent weeks playing in defence and then stepped up to score the winner against Forest. When he and they are at their best, Neves can control the game from midfield.

- Crystal Palace have won their last three Premier League games against Wolves, their longest ever winning run against them in league competition.

- Wolves have lost their last two away league games against Crystal Palace, as many as they had in their previous 11 visits to Selhurst Park to face the Eagles (W5 D4).

- Crystal Palace have won just one of their last nine home midweek (Tues, Weds, Thurs) Premier League games (D3 L5), beating Norwich City 3-0 in December last season.

- Having kept a clean sheet in each of their last five Premier League home games last season, Crystal Palace have conceded at least once in each of their five at Selhurst Park so far this season.

- Wolves have won just one of their last 12 Premier League away games (D2 L9) and are winless in nine league outings on the road since a 1-0 win at Everton in March.

Updated October 17, 2022