Wolves v Sunderland preview

McCarthy: Will be back next season

PREDICTIONS:

Skysports.com prediction: 1-1

SKY BET odds: Wolves 11/8, Draw 9/4, Sunderland 2/1

One to Watch: Steed Malbranque

Bet on Sunday's match

MATCH FACTS
Sunderland have kept just one clean sheet in their last nine league games. - Wolves not to score, 5/2 BET NOW

Wolves have scored just 11 goals in 18 Premier League home games this season - Wolves win, 11/8 BET NOW

Sunderland are the only team to play more than four seasons in the Premier League and not have won a game on the final day of the season - Sunderland win, 2/1 BET NOW

Only 10 of Kevin Doyle's 27 all-time Premier League goals have come in home games - Kevin Doyle first scorer, 6/1 BET NOW

Wolves have scored just two goals in total in their last six league games - Wolves win 2-0, 10/1 BET NOW

Related links

Teams

• Sunderland
• Wolverhampton Wanderers

Also see

• Sky Sports experts
• Transfer Centre
• Free Sky Player
• Fantasy Football
• £5 Free Bet

Wolves and Sunderland enjoy the luxury of playing out their final fixture with nothing to worry about.

Mick McCarthy's men have proven successful in their efforts to avoid the drop and will definitely be a top flight outfit again next season.

They will, however, be keen to get a few more points on the board as they have failed to win any of their last six games.

During that run the Midlanders have found the target just twice, with goals proving to be a problem throughout the campaign.

No team in the Premier League has scored fewer than their miserly haul of 30 this term, while they have also managed just 11 in 18 games at Molineux.

Those hoping to be entertained on Sunday could be in for a disappointing afternoon, with the omens not good.

While Wolves lack a cutting edge at home, Sunderland have plundered only 15 goals in 18 away outings.

The Black Cats have, however, kept just one clean sheet in their last nine league games, which suggests they are far from impenetrable.

Steve Bruce's men will be keen to cut out any defensive errors this weekend, though, as they could yet secure a top half finish.

The Black Cats have never won a game on the final day of a Premier League season, though, with two draws and six defeats suffered in their previous eights years at the top level.

Team news

Wolves are set to be boosted by the return of winger Matt Jarvis this weekend.

Jarvis has missed the last two matches with a thigh strain but is poised to come in for on-loan Charleroi midfielder Geoffrey Mujangi Bia, who made his first league start for Wolves in last weekend's 3-1 defeat at Portsmouth.

The recall of Jarvis is set to be the only change by McCarthy.

Left-back Stephen Ward is recovering from knee surgery but should be fit for the start of pre-season training this summer.

Sunderland have been rocked by injuries to Lee Cattermole and David Meyler which have brought a premature end to their respective campaigns.

Cattermole has suffered a dislocated shoulder while Meyler is ruled out after rupturing knee ligaments.

George McCartney (knee) and Andy Reid (hamstring) are also sidelined and must wait until next season before forcing their way back into the fold.

Sunday will also see the loan deals of John Mensah and Alan Hutton come to an end, although Bruce remains keen on having both men back at the Stadium of Light next season.

Possible starting XIs

Wolves: Hahnemann, Stearman, Craddock, Berra, Zubar, Jarvis, Mancienne, Henry, Mujangi Bia, Ebanks-Blake, Doyle.

Sunderland: Gordon, Bardsley, Mensah, Turner, Ferdinand, Malbranque, Cana, Henderson, Richardson, Campbell, Bent.