Wolves v Burnley preview: Clarets aim to kick-start season at Molineux
Watch live on Sky Sports Premier League from 12.30pm on Sunday
Sunday 16 September 2018 12:16, UK
Burnley travel to Wolves looking to avoid their worst run of form since they were last relegated, live on Sky Sports Super Sunday.
Burnley have lost their last three Premier League games - and the last time they suffered four straight defeats they were relegated, finishing bottom of the top flight in 2015.
The Clarets come into the match still looking for their first win of the season at the fourth time of asking, after a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United at Turf Moor last time out.
Manager Sean Dyche is looking for his side to treat the game as though it is their first of the season - having struggled to balance Europa League qualifying and the start of the Premier League campaign so far.
"I said to the lads it's a restart, because it's been so different for us," Dyche said.
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"I think if you're familiar with the Europa scene and how it works, and all the quirks to it and all the travelling, that's different - for us it was new, something different.
"To work our way through that and then come out at the end, then it is slightly a restart, because you get that break, and the next game is coming and we move forward."
The atmosphere is rather different at Molineux, where Nuno Espirito Santo has shrugged off suggestions he could be the next manager of Manchester United, taking over from fellow Portuguese Jose Mourinho when he eventually departs the club.
He said: "You know me, I don't talk about that. It doesn't make sense. Now is not the moment to even think. I totally ignore that.
"I go on a daily basis. I know what I have to do tomorrow to prepare the boys well for a tough game against Burnley.
"This is the way I look at the future, day by day. We ignore the situations, it doesn't affect us. The players know the reality, there is no transfers now anyway so there is no point in talking."
Team news
Burnley have Johan Berg Gudmundsson back available for Sunday's Premier League match, which Ben Gibson will sit out.
Winger Gudmundsson has recovered after missing the 2-0 home loss to Manchester United last time out due to a hamstring problem. Gibson, who was also not part of the squad for that game, is to see a specialist about his groin issue.
Fellow defender Stephen Ward is fit again after a foot injury saw him miss the Republic of Ireland's match against Poland on Tuesday.
Wolves could be without Raul Jimenez as the forward, who scored on the opening day of the season against Everton,
sustained a muscle injury while away on international duty with Mexico.
Portuguese winger Ivan Cavaleiro is yet to play this campaign due to a back problem and he will remain out.
Opta stats
- Wolves have won both of their previous Premier League meetings with Burnley, with Mick McCarthy's side netting twice in each match in the 2009/10 season.
- Burnley are unbeaten in four league encounters with Wolves, winning two and drawing two.
- Wolves haven't gone three consecutive home games in all competitions without winning against Burnley since April 1952 (D1 L1 currently).
- Burnley have never won a Premier League away game against newly promoted opposition (W0 D6 L4), including a 0-2 defeat vs Wolves at Molineux in December 2009.
- Wolves' 1-0 win against West Ham on matchday four was the first time they have had a player score a 90th-minute match-winning goal for them in the Premier League (Adama Traore the scorer).
- Wolverhampton Wanderers are without a win in their last 14 Premier League games at Molineux (W0 D4 L10) - their longest ever home winless run in the top flight.
- Wolves have only lost two of their 28 home games in all competitions under Nuno Espírito Santo (W18 D8 L2).
- Burnley have lost five of their last six Premier League matches, including each of the last three. They haven't lost four consecutively in league competition since May 2015 when they were relegated from the Premier League.
- Wolves winger Adama Traore is looking to score in consecutive top-flight appearances for the first time in his career, after netting his first ever goal in 41 games in the Premier League and La Liga.
- Burnley haven't won an away top-flight game in September since 1974, when they beat Liverpool - in nine games since, they've scored twice and conceded 26 goals (P9 W0 D2 L7).
Merson's prediction
I'm really looking forward to watching Wolves play on Super Sunday. I like what they're about. They play great football and always look to play forward. This should be a home win.
The two-week break came just at the right time for Burnley, who are in trouble this season. They had some big results last season that they'll struggle to recreate. The manager and their team spirit will be crucial.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (9/1 with Sky Bet)
