Wolverhampton Wanderers-Match Preview

Promotion chasing Watford, already assured of a place in the end of season play-offs, go in search of a first victory in four games tomorrow as they travel to the West Midlands and Glen Hoddle's underachieving Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Three points tomorrow would complete a clean sweep for the Golden Boys over their Black Country counterparts this season, as a Clarke Carlisle inspired 2-1 after extra time Vicarage Road success in the Second Round of the Carling Cup back in September, was followed by a comfortable 3-1 home Coca-Cola Championship triumph barely six weeks later.

Much was expected of the moneyed Molineux men this season, and indeed towards the end of September, when a meritorious 3-1 victory at Stoke City was bettered four days later by a cracking 4-0 romp at Crewe Alexandra, results that propelled the team into the division's top four, the expected sustained title challenge seemed on the cards.

An injury soon after the Gresty Road win to leading goal scorer Carl Cort seemingly put an immediate brake on their charge up the table however, and that coupled with the planned end of season departure back to his Scottish homeland and Celtic of the mercurial Kenny Miller has had a terminally detrimental effect on Hoddle's meticulous promotion plans.

Too many drawn games in the second half of the campaign when three points has been the order of the day have now left the Black Country outfit residing in seventh spot in the table, but importantly fully 10 points, with only 12 to play for outside the coveted play-off places.

Watford for their part will be looking to return to winning ways after a frustratingly inconsistent spell which has all but ended their hopes of automatic promotion.

The side that was scoring goals aplenty back in February is now finding the going much harder, and only Marlon King, who grabbed his 20th league strike of the campaign last weekend, has netted in the last three games leaving manager, Aidy Boothroyd anxious for his team to rediscover their cutting edge as the business end of the season approaches.

History of the Wolverhampton Wanderers v Watford fixture

Watford face a trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux at tea-time on Friday, hoping to improve upon an average previous return from this fixture. Of the 16 games played, the Golden Boys have recorded only two wins, with Wolves coming away with six victories.

The last two games in the Midlands have ended goalless, the most recent being just last season, in February 2005.

For a detailed analysis of the head-to-head between the two sides, click here.

Recent encounters between the teams:
2005/2006	Sat 29 Oct	Watford	3 - 1	Wolves	CHMP
2005/2006	Tue 20 Sep	Watford	2 - 1	Wolves	LGEC
2004/2005	Sat 26 Feb	Wolves	0 - 0	Watford	CHMP
2004/2005	Sat 11 Dec	Watford	1 - 1	Wolves	CHMP
2002/2003	Tue 25 Feb	Wolves	0 - 0	Watford	CHMP
2002/2003	Sat 02 Nov	Watford	1 - 1	Wolves	CHMP
2001/2002	Sat 22 Dec	Watford	1 - 1	Wolves	CHMP

Recent respective form guides

Wolverhampton Wanderers have collected two wins and three draws from their last six home matches, having scored seven goals during this period and conceding six.

The Golden Boys have had a decent run of form away from home recently, coming away with three points on three occasions, but drawing one and losing twice, at play-off rivals, Leeds United and Crystal Palace. These games have constituted a decent return of 10 goals for the Golden Boys, and 7 against.

Wolves lie just outside the playoff positions in seventh position in the Coca Cola Championship, having picked up 60 points from their 42 games played so far. Watford meanwhile remain just outside the promotion places, in third place, having accrued 73 points from their 42 matches.

For a detailed analysis of team form guides throughout the leagues, click here.

Current form guides:	P	W	D	L	F	A	P
Wolves	6	1	3	2	6	8	6
Watford	6	1	3	2	7	9	6

FootyMad's prediction ...

A creditable return from recent away games for Watford could well see them head back from Molineux with a victory, although on current form a share of the spoils is the most likely outcome. Score draw