WATCH OUR PREVIEW
TEAM NEWS
Midfielder Joao Gomes is suspended and Hwang Hee-chan, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Boubacar Traore are all on international duty. Wolves winger Pedro Neto could make his first start since October.
Brighton defender Igor is likely to be in the squad after a two-match absence because of an Achilles problem. Julio Enciso, Ansu Fati, Tariq Lamptey and Joel Veltman should all return next month, while Solly March remains the only long-term absentee.
GARY O'NEIL
Here are the main lines from his news conference:
On the short-term future of 18-year-old striker Nathan Fraser: “He has a part to play at some point in the future, the key is how we get him there. The decision if he goes on loan will be based purely on what we are able to do this month. At the moment he is the only number nine with any experience at the club so he won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.”
On Mario Lemina’s return after the death of his father: “It was a tough thing to go through, especially given the role he plays in his family. He spent a good spell of his time with them until he felt he was ready to come back and we are pleased to have him.”
Wolves are enjoying a healthy spell in terms of fitness, with O’Neil stating: “There is not an injury at the club at the moment, which is good as we are not blessed with a load of numbers.”
In facing Brighton, O’Neil was asked about Seagulls midfielder James Milner and said: “I was in quite a few England youth squads with him. He was the most professional player on the trip. He is still playing at an incredibly high level and a fantastic example for how to get the best out of yourself.”
On Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton: “They had a similar way of playing before Roberto came in. He has improved it. He is one of the best managers around.”
In more detail on Monday’s opponents, O’Neil added: “When you come up against a top coach or side it’s always good to see where we are and what we could achieve. They are very good at what they do. Us and them were also the two sides who made the most profit in the summer so it’s impressive they’ve managed to keep it going.”
MATCH STATS & FACTS
Head-to-head
- Brighton have won four consecutive Premier League matches against Wolves, scoring 16 goals in the process.
- The Seagulls won this fixture 6-0 last season – their biggest ever Premier League victory and Wolves’ heaviest defeat in the division.
- Wolves have only registered six victories over Brighton in 39 league meetings, drawing 14 and losing 19.
Brighton & Hove Albion
- Brighton are undefeated in eight top-flight home matches (W4, D4), equalling a club record that was first set in 1981.
- Roberto De Zerbi’s side have scored in 22 successive home fixtures in all competitions, amassing 52 goals during that run.
- The Seagulls are seeking back-to-back clean sheets for the first time since May last year, with the second of those shutouts coming in their 6-0 home win against Wolves.
- Brighton are yet to win at home on a Monday in the Premier League, drawing five and losing four of their nine fixtures on this day.
- James Milner is set to play for the 633rd time in the Premier League, putting him second on the all-time appearances list behind Gareth Barry’s record of 653.
- Danny Welbeck has scored four goals and recorded two assists in eight top-flight games against Wolves.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Wolves are on a five-match unbeaten run in all competitions, winning four and drawing one.
- They are vying to win four successive top-flight fixtures for the first time since January 1972.
- Gary O’Neil’s side have scored 30 top-flight goals this term, only one shy of their entire total last season.
- Wolverhampton have only kept one clean sheet in 26 Premier League away matches, in a 1-0 victory at Everton in August 2023.
- The absent Hwang Hee-chan has been directly involved in 43% of Wolves’ 30 top-flight goals this season with 10 goals and three assists.
- Matheus Cunha has registered four goals and four assists in his past nine Premier League appearances.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Craig Pawson. Assistants: Marc Perry, Steve Meredith. Fourth official: Tim Robinson. VAR: Peter Bankes. Assistant VAR: Dan Cook.
MATCH INFO
The match kicks off at 7.45pm on Monday 22nd January at the Amex Stadium. The match is being shown live on TNT Sports in the UK.