Rock-bottom Wolves are already staring at a long season having gained just one point from the 18 on offer so far in the Premier League and their plight looks unlikely to improve at Brentford.
Gary O’Neil may take some heart from the fact that Wolves enter this weekend as one of five Premier League sides yet to win a game, with a chance the relegation barometer may not be set as high as normal come the end of the season.
Thomas Frank and the Bees have had a tough opening sequence of games and will be aiming to kick on now with favourable fixtures on the horizon.
The stats
Brentford last week became the first team in Premier League history to score inside the opening minute in three successive games.
The Bees are looking to win successive games against Wolves for the first time since 2015/16.
Wolves last started a top-flight season with seven winless games in 2003/04 and went on to finish bottom.
Wolves have won three and drawn three of their last six visits to Brentford.
Five of Brentford’s six Premier League games have seen both teams score.
Prediction
Wolves were 4-1 winners in this fixture last season, racing into a two-goal lead after 14 minutes and punishing Brentford’s defence as they hit the net with four of their five shots on target in a game where the home side had 60 per cent of the possession.
Wanderers also dumped Brentford out of the FA Cup on penalties in January, but the Bees had the final say, winning 2-0 at Molineux in February.
Six points split the teams now, with Wolves bottom and Brentford entering the weekend in 12th.
Wolves have improved in recent games, scoring in the last four in the league, but Brentford are perhaps in a false position after tough away trips to Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham.
They might have made it three home wins from three last week if Yehor Yarmoliuk had converted a decent second-half chance and, while Wolves’ performances are improving, their confidence is fragile and the home side can win this one.
