On Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 10:00 AM ET, Wolverhampton Wanderers host Crystal Palace at Molineux Stadium in a match that could define the rest of their seasons. Wolves, the only winless team in the Premier League after eleven games, sit dead last with just two points. Crystal Palace, by contrast, are chasing a top-four finish — and they’ve won seven of the last nine meetings between these sides. The stakes couldn’t be higher.
Wolves’ Desperate Struggle
Wolverhampton Wanderers haven’t won a single Premier League game this season. Not one. Their last victory? Over a year ago. They’ve scored just 11 goals in 11 matches, and while they’ve managed to find the net at home in seven of eight games — averaging 1.75 goals per match — their defense has collapsed under pressure. Only once have they kept a clean sheet at Molineux, and that was against Manchester City in a 4-0 thrashing.
Manager Rob Edwards, appointed mid-season, is now facing his first real test. He took over a squad emotionally drained and tactically adrift. The international break offered a rare chance to reset, but with Rodrigo Gomes still sidelined and key defender Emmanuel Agbadou returning from suspension, the options are thin. "It’s a really tough situation," noted Goonersguide.com. "He found it too much of an emotional tie to ignore the Wolves approach, but his team have been away on international duty and Edwards has to find a way to get them back on track."
Crystal Palace’s Quiet Confidence
Crystal Palace, under manager Oliver Glasner, have quietly built momentum. Their 0-0 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion before the break wasn’t pretty — they had just 42% possession — but their 1.38 expected goals from 10 shots dwarfed Brighton’s 0.33 xG from seven attempts. That’s the hallmark of efficiency. They’ve won two away games already this season and are determined to climb into the Champions League conversation.
But they’re not without issues. Midfielder Cheick Doucoure and striker Edward Nketiah are out injured, and defender Chadi Riad is a major doubt. Still, Glasner’s side has outperformed expectations consistently. "He continues to play at a very good standard," said Goonersguide.com. "They don’t need to dominate possession to win. They just need to be clinical."
Statistical Consensus: Both Teams Will Score
Every major predictive model — Dimers.com, Footballpredictions.com, Scores24.live, and Windrawwin.com — agrees on one thing: both teams will score. That’s rare. In fact, four of the last five meetings between these clubs have ended with over 3.5 goals. Dimers.com’s 10,000 simulations point to a 1-1 draw as the single most likely outcome (12% probability), but the odds tell a different story: Crystal Palace at -125 to win, Wolves at +380, and a draw at +270.
Footballpredictions.com leans toward a 2-3 win for Palace, while Scores24.live forecasts a narrow 2-1 victory, citing the "arrival of a new manager" as a key factor for Palace’s improved performance. Goonersguide.com, meanwhile, predicts a 0-2 win for Palace, with a betting tip on "Crystal Palace to Win at 1.95 with Bet365," highlighting an early payout clause if Palace leads by two goals.
Why This Match Matters Beyond the Table
For Wolves, this isn’t just about points. It’s about identity. They’ve lost four straight league games. Their fans are restless. Their academy graduates are being sold off. The club’s reputation as a Premier League contender is evaporating. A loss here could push them 10 points from safety — effectively ending any realistic hope of survival before Christmas.
For Palace, it’s about legacy. They’ve beaten Wolves in six of the last eight Premier League meetings. They’ve outscored them 19-7 in those games. This isn’t just a rivalry — it’s a psychological advantage. A win on Saturday would extend their dominance and send a message to the rest of the league: they’re not just surviving, they’re ascending.
What’s Next?
If Palace win, they’ll climb into the top six, potentially leapfrogging Tottenham and Aston Villa. A draw would still keep them in the hunt, but a loss would open the door for teams like Newcastle and Fulham. For Wolves, defeat means they’ll need to win their next four games just to get within striking distance of safety — a near-impossible task given their form.
The betting market reflects this imbalance. The over/under is set at 2.5 goals, with the over at -105 and the under at -115. Every analyst agrees: expect goals. And expect Palace to leave Molineux with all three points.
Historical Context: A One-Sided Rivalry
Wolves have won 30 of the 78 total matches against Crystal Palace since the 1970s. But that’s ancient history. Since 2018, Palace have won 7 of the last 9 meetings. The last time they met, in April 2025, Palace won 4-2 at Selhurst Park — a match that featured five goals and a red card for Wolves’ captain. That result set the tone for the current dominance.
What’s striking is how Palace have changed their approach. No longer relying on counterattacks alone, they’ve become more balanced, more structured. Glasner’s system rewards movement over pace, positioning over power. Wolves, meanwhile, still look disjointed — a team searching for a system they can trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Crystal Palace favored despite missing key players?
Even without Doucoure and Nketiah, Crystal Palace’s depth and tactical discipline under Oliver Glasner remain intact. Their midfield control and shot efficiency — 1.38 xG from 10 attempts against Brighton — prove they don’t need star names to dominate. Their recent record against Wolves, plus their away form, gives them psychological and statistical advantages that outweigh individual absences.
Can Wolves still avoid relegation?
Mathematically, yes — but realistically, no. With only two points from 11 games and eight points from safety, Wolves need a miracle. Even if they win all their remaining matches, they’d need at least six other teams to collapse. Their goal difference (-14) is among the worst in the league. Without a dramatic turnaround in confidence and tactics, relegation is all but sealed.
What does the 1-1 projection from Dimers.com mean?
Dimers.com’s 1-1 projection is the single most likely scoreline out of 10,000 simulations — but it’s not the most likely outcome overall. The model shows Crystal Palace has a 50.4% chance of winning outright, meaning a draw is just one of many possible results. The 12% probability for 1-1 reflects a common pattern: Palace scores first, Wolves equalizes late. It’s a plausible result, but not a probable one.
Why do all sources predict both teams to score?
Wolves have scored in seven of their eight home games, averaging 1.75 goals per match. Palace have scored in nine of their last 10 away matches. Their defensive records are shaky — Wolves concede 2.1 goals per game at home, Palace concede 1.8 away. Historically, 80% of their recent meetings featured goals from both sides. The data doesn’t lie: goals are coming.
Is Rob Edwards under pressure to win this match?
Absolutely. Edwards was brought in to stabilize the team, but after 11 winless games, his job security is in jeopardy. A loss here would trigger an immediate review by the board. Sources say he’s been given until December to turn things around. If Wolves lose to Palace — a team they’ve lost to seven times in nine tries — the pressure will become unbearable.
How does this match compare to past relegation battles?
Wolves’ situation is worse than any of the last five winless teams in Premier League history. The previous record for most games without a win before relegation was 13 games (Derby County, 2007-08). Wolves are on pace to break that. Their goal difference is worse than any team that survived relegation since 2010. This isn’t just a bad season — it’s a systemic collapse.
