Wolves vs Brentford predictions: Lively affair expected at Molineux

Tom Hill

Spotlight

Gary O'Neil's Wolves won 4-1 at Brentford in the league and played most of the first Cup clash with 10 men

- Four of Wolves' last five games have contained over 2.5 goals
- Brentford have conceded nine gaols in their last four away matches
- Recommended bet: Over 2.5 goals

Wolves and Brentford will lock horns once again for the right to face West Brom in the fourth round when they compete in their FA Cup third-round replay on Tuesday night.

Gary O'Neil's side had been reduced to 10 men as early as the ninth minute but were still able to find an equaliser just after the hour in the first clash, thanks to Tommy Doyle's first goal for the club, after Neal Maupay had given the Bees a late first-half lead at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Wolves were able to hold out a man down, but a replay is something neither side would have wanted, especially with the winter break otherwise offering the chance to go abroad for warm-weather training camps that some teams have been able to enjoy.

Team news

Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes is suspended for Tuesday's tie, having seen red for a rash challenge on Brentford's Christian Norgaard in the first leg.

Mario Lemina will also miss out due to personal reasons, while Boubacar Traore, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Hee Chan Hwang are away on international duty.

Both Craig Dawson and Hugo Bueno are carrying knocks and will need to pass fitness tests to feature.

Brentford boss Thomas Frank could be without Norgaard due to an ankle injury suffered in that challenge in the first meeting.

Frank is still without a whole host of players through injury, though, as Rico Henry, Bryan Mbeumo, Aaron Hickey, Kevin Schade, and Kristoffer Ajer are unavailable, while Yoane Wissa, Frank Onyeka and Saman Ghoddos are away at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Ben Mee and Ivan Toney will also serve their respective suspensions, with the latter's ban ending one day after the replay.

The stats

Thomas Frank's Brentford's poor form sees them in a relegation battle while they failed to beat Wolves despite an early red card

Wolves' last six games have all been entertaining battles, with none of those matches containing fewer than two goals.

At home, Gary O'Neil's team have also given their fans plenty of things to cheer about, having scored in all 11 of their matches at Molineux so far this season.

Wolves are also unbeaten in eight in front of their own supporters, and that should bode well, with Brentford having lost four in a row on their travels while they have not won any of their last six in all competitions and were beaten 4-1 by Wolves in the home Premier League meeting just after Christmas.

The latest Wolves vs Brentford odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Prediction

Injuries and suspensions have hit both teams hard in recent weeks, but both O'Neil and Frank will want to see more from their fringe players as they try to increase the competition for places ahead of their next league match next week.

O'Neil's side have punched above their weight and have been silencing their critics all season, while they have shown real consistency at Molineux.

Brentford will want to prioritise league safety over an FA Cup run, but Frank will want a strong display to try and build from as they desperately try to return to winning ways.

Back Over 2.5 goals at 4/5 with LiveScore Bet.