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Vitor Pereira | Wolves via Getty Images
Wolves are back in Premier League action this Saturday with an away trip to AFC Bournemouth
Wolves were beaten 4-0 on the opening day by a rampant Manchester City side. They weren’t able to lay a glove on Pep Guardiola’s side and slumped to a heavy defeat. Nevertheless, they have the chance to bounce back this weekend with a positive result.
Vitor Pereira’s men make the trip down south to Dorset to play AFC Bournemouth as they look to get their season on track. The Midlands outfit managed to stay in the Premier League with relative ease in the end in the last campaign. They will be hoping for the same again this time around.
Pundit issues AFC Bournemouth vs Wolves prediction
Wolves’ upcoming opponents Bournemouth were beaten 4-2 away at Liverpool last time out. They fought back from 2-0 down against the Reds at Anfield after two goals by Antoine Semenyo. However, the champions ended up scoring a couple more afterwards through Federico Chiese and Mohamed Salah.
Pundit Chris Sutton, who spent his playing days with the likes of Blackburn Rovers, Chelsea and Celtic, has shared his prediction to BBC Sport: “I really liked Bournemouth having a go at Liverpool. I know they ended up losing but they always carry that attacking threat. They're so good in transition and get bodies forward. How do you judge Wolves after they got walloped at home against Manchester City? I mean, they did have chances in that match.
“There's also that concern as to whether Bournemouth have properly replaced their three best defenders who they sold this summer. It'll be quite tight, I know AI will go for a draw because they're very predictable. But I'm going to stick my neck out. Bournemouth will sneak it. 1-0.”
Wolves’ summer so far
Wolves have lost key players like Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri this summer. The pair left for Manchester United and Manchester City respectively. They have left big voids and they will miss them this term.
Pereira was picked as their replacement for Gary O’Neil last December. He has since made a positive impression and Molineux and has managed to get the fans on his side. The Portuguese head coach has adapted well to life in England but this second year now will be a test.
Wolves could do with some more reinforcements before the end of the window. Their squad is still lacking in certain areas and they would benefit from injecting some more quality into it. They have until the deadline on Monday 1st September to get some more players through the door.
As Sutton alluded to, it is hard to judge them after only one match against Manchester City. Guardiola’s men will be up there this season and that won’t be the first time they batter someone. Bournemouth will be a completely different test for Pereira’s men but they will need to be at their best to get something.
If anything, Wolves will be relieved to have got City out the way so early. Not many expected them to get anything from that fixture anyway. After they play the Cherries, they lock horns with Everton at home to see off August.
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