Wolves’ Premier League Survival Battle: Can Vítor Pereira Keep Them Up?
As the 2024/25 Premier League season nears its final stretch, Wolverhampton Wanderers (Wolves) find themselves in a fierce battle to secure their top-flight status. With only a few months left, the relegation fight is shaping up to be a three-way contest between Wolves, Leicester City, and Ipswich Town, while Southampton appears all but certain to drop back to the Championship.
Despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield last weekend, Vítor Pereira’s Wolves remain just outside the relegation zone, two points clear of the bottom three. Their fate is far from sealed, though, with several crucial fixtures on the horizon that could determine whether they stay in the Premier League or face the drop.
A Tight Relegation Battle
The Premier League relegation battle has been unpredictable this season, with teams like Wolves, Leicester, and Ipswich all finding themselves in precarious positions. Leicester, managed by Ruud van Nistelrooy, and Ipswich, led by Kieran McKenna, both came into the campaign with high hopes of survival, but both sides have struggled to string together consistent results.
Currently, Opta’s predictive supercomputer suggests that Wolves have a 17.5% chance of relegation, giving them a strong chance of survival compared to their rivals. Leicester’s chances of dropping to the Championship stand at 91.8%, while Ipswich are close behind at 89.7%. Southampton, who sit rock bottom of the table with just nine points, have a 99.9% chance of relegation, meaning their fate is effectively sealed.
The Premier League table remains incredibly tight, and while Opta’s supercomputer has accurately predicted standings throughout the season, nothing is guaranteed. Wolves may have a statistical advantage, but they cannot afford to become complacent.
Upcoming Fixtures: The Decisive Period
With only 13 matches remaining, every point will be crucial for Wolves. They have an opportunity to strengthen their position with a vital match against Bournemouth this weekend. A positive result in that fixture could put some distance between them and the relegation zone.
Leicester City, meanwhile, host Brentford on Friday night in front of the Sky Sports cameras, hoping to secure a much-needed win. Ipswich Town, fresh off a crucial point against Aston Villa, face a difficult test against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
Beyond this weekend, Wolves’ remaining fixtures will define their season:
February 22, 2025: Bournemouth (A)
February 25, 2025: Fulham (H)
March 8, 2025: Everton (H)
March 15, 2025: Southampton (A)
April 1, 2025: West Ham (H)
These matches, particularly the clashes against relegation rivals Southampton and Everton, will be decisive in determining Wolves’ fate.
January Transfers: A Game-Changer?
Wolves’ ownership group, Fosun International, has faced criticism in the past for failing to adequately support managers in the transfer market, particularly under previous head coaches Julen Lopetegui and Gary O’Neil. However, the January transfer window saw a change in strategy, with Wolves spending over £40 million—the second-highest expenditure in the Premier League, behind only Manchester City.
Three key signings arrived in January:
Nasser Djiga (CB, Basel) – A promising young center-back with excellent defensive qualities.
Emmanuel Agbadou (CB, Reims) – A strong and composed Ivorian defender who has already made a significant impact, though he is currently sidelined with an injury.
Marshall Munetsi (CM, Reims) – A dynamic and aggressive midfielder who impressed in his debut, nearly scoring against Liverpool.
Agbadou’s presence has notably strengthened the Wolves backline, and while his injury is a setback, his return could provide a timely boost in the survival battle. Meanwhile, Munetsi has already shown glimpses of his ability to drive the team forward in attacking phases.
These additions, coupled with the improved performances under Pereira, suggest that Wolves have the tools to survive—if they can maintain consistency in the final stretch of the season.
Wolves’ Performances Under Vítor Pereira
Since Vítor Pereira took over, Wolves have displayed a noticeable improvement in performances, particularly in their defensive structure. Though the Liverpool loss was a setback, they showed resilience against one of the league’s strongest sides.
Pereira has implemented a more disciplined and structured approach, focusing on defensive solidity and quick transitions. His system has brought out the best in players like Pedro Neto, Matheus Cunha, and João Gomes, who have been key to Wolves’ attacking play.
Despite the improvements, Wolves still need to convert performances into points. While they have competed well against top teams, their real test lies in their upcoming fixtures against direct relegation rivals.
Can Wolves Secure Survival?
The odds remain in Wolves’ favor, but the job is far from done. The performances since Pereira’s arrival, coupled with the January reinforcements, suggest that they have what it takes to avoid relegation. However, they must capitalize on crucial fixtures, particularly against Bournemouth, Fulham, and Southampton.
Wolves fans will take confidence from the Opta supercomputer’s verdict, which suggests they have a strong chance of survival compared to Leicester and Ipswich. But as football has proven time and time again, anything can happen.
The next few weeks will be crucial in deciding Wolves’ Premier League future. If they continue their recent form and make the most of their upcoming fixtures, they can secure another season in England’s top flight. If not, they may find themselves dragged into a battle they desperately want to avoid.