Category: Wolverhampton

As the Premier League season heads into its final stretch, the narrative is shaping up to be one of high stakes and dramatic conclusions, particularly for Manchester City, Arsenal, and several clubs at the bottom of the table. The Athletic is providing live coverage of the crucial match between Manchester City and Crystal Palace, a contest that holds significant implications for both the title race and relegation battles.
With only 21 games left in this season’s 380-match journey, the intensity has ramped up as Arsenal has established a five-point lead over Manchester City after a thrilling victory over West Ham. City kept pace with their own decisive 3-0 win against Brentford, putting them firmly in pursuit of the top spot as the season nears its climax.
The juxtaposition of the title chase against imminent relegation battles adds further depth to the unfolding drama. Arsenal’s impending fixtures against Crystal Palace and Burnley will be pivotal. A victory against Palace for City tomorrow is essential; anything less would hand Arsenal a significant advantage, enabling them to clinch their first title in 22 years with a win against Burnley next Monday.
In stark contrast, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United find themselves embroiled in a relegation dogfight. Both clubs, which began the season with more optimistic expectations, now find their survival in the Premier League at risk. A recent 1-1 draw for Spurs against Leeds has kept the pressure mounting, while West Ham’s path to safety has narrowed considerably. The London rivals are both battling to avoid joining Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Championship next season.
With just two matches left, West Ham’s upcoming clash against Newcastle carries enormous significance. It is a must-win scenario for them to remain competitive, as Spurs’ results will also play a critical role in determining their fate. The emotion surrounding these matches is palpable, with the potential for both clubs’ seasons to end in heartbreak or relief.
In the race for European qualification, the stakes are equally high. The results from this season’s European competitions have set the stage for the top five finishers to secure Champions League places, with the possibility of a sixth place being extended depending on Aston Villa’s success in the Europa League. The upcoming match between Villa and Liverpool this Friday is set to be critical, with both clubs currently vying for a Champions League spot. With an already narrow gap in points, the outcome could significantly influence their aspirations.
However, the dynamics do not stop there. Teams such as Bournemouth and Brighton are keen to secure their positions for European football, with securing at least a seventh-place finish being a notable objective. The intricacies of UEFA’s qualification criteria mean that teams are not just fighting for survival or glory in the league, but also for their future in Europe, complicating the narrative further as the season approaches its dramatic conclusion.
As the clock ticks down toward the final matches of the season, the landscape of the Premier League remains interconnected, with every point being vital and every match potentially altering destinies. Fans and players alike brace for a frenetic finish that promises to resolve the league’s most pressing questions in the coming weeks.

He added: “I met Noddy through the TV show and now ridiculously we’ve become best friends and we go out for dinner every week, which is amazing.”Describing the collaboration with the Slade frontman, who has roots in Walsall, Seals recalled: “The lyrics spoke to me in a time where I needed them and here we are.”We recorded it and I’ve been told there’s a chance we might just get it in the official Jazz and Blues charts, which I’m so excited by.”Slade, the rock band, was formed in Wolverhampton in 1966 and enjoyed enormous success with hits including Mama Weer All Crazee Now and festive favourite Merry Xmas Everybody.The Crewe musician, who has previously played alongside the likes of Jools Holland and Gregory Porter, said the song is “real music”.He added: “It’s rock and roll, it’s jazz, blues, boogie-woogie, swing, it’s great. It’s live, it’s mistakes and all and I’m so proud of it.”

Our daily round-up of the latest news from clubs and players across the Premier League
Here is your daily briefing for the latest Premier League stories on Tuesday 12 May.
Guehi ‘an unbelievable signing’, says Pep 
It is surely no coincidence that Manchester City’s end-of-season charge towards the title has come since Marc Guehi signed from Crystal Palace in January.
Man City are unbeaten in the Premier League since Guehi joined, winning nine and drawing four of their 13 games.
Although the 25-year-old had a moment to forget earlier this month when his backpass gifted Everton a goal in a costly 3-3 draw, Pep Guardiola has hailed Guehi’s overall influence as the centre-back prepares to face his former club Palace on Wednesday.”He is an incredible signing,” the Man City manager said. “He’s focused in every single detail in every game, in his private life, to be a professional. He is an unbelievable signing for this club.
“We are really pleased. He is behaving how we expected in moments, how we turn around immediately. That defines the big players at the big clubs.”
Palace have a significant role to play in the title race, facing second-placed Man City 11 days before hosting league leaders Arsenal on the final day.
If Man City and Arsenal both take maximum points between now and then, only two points would separate them going into the last game.Oliver Glasner’s side could be forgiven for having one eye on their UEFA Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano, which comes three days after hosting the Gunners. But Guardiola is confident they will give their all against the Gunners.
“I am sure they will do their best, knowing that they have the final three days later,” Guardiola said.
“They are so professional, the teams. Crystal Palace will play top. We saw Leeds yesterday against Spurs (a 1-1 draw), how even being out of the relegation battle… how they compete.”
De Zerbi hopes Leeds will also frustrate West Ham
Leeds’ battling display on Monday was also noteworthy for Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi.
Despite Leeds now being safe from relegation, they came from behind away from home to frustrate the north Londoners on Monday, with former Spurs defender Joe Rodon  epitomising his side’s effort when he made a heroic block to deny Richarlison a crucial winner in the 15th minute of stoppage time. 
It leaves Spurs just two points ahead of West Ham United in the fight to avoid the final relegation place – and Leeds visit West Ham on the final day.”In the end, I think we have to fight until the end of the season,” De Zerbi told Sky Sports. “Leeds played a good game. We hope they play like this against West Ham because it is right like this.
“We didn’t play well but fighting relegation is like this, you cannot play all games calm.”
Watch: How the relegation battle CHANGED in Spurs 1-1 LeedsWhite suffers ‘significant’ knee injury
Arsenal hope Ben White will be fit for pre-season after announcing the defender sustained a “significant” knee injury against West Ham on Sunday.White has damaged his medial knee ligament, ruling him out of Arsenal’s final two games as they chase a first Premier League title in 22 years and then prepare for the UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.Given the nature of the injury, it looks highly unlikely White will be available for England at the FIFA World Cup. He had been recalled by England manager Thomas Tuchel for the March friendlies – his first involvement with the national team since the Qatar 2022 World Cup.An Arsenal statement said: “Our medical team are now managing Ben’s recovery and rehabilitation programme, with everyone fully focused on supporting the aim of Ben being ready for the start of our pre-season preparations.”
Defoe compares Rayan with Bale
“I’m going to make a big statement. He reminds me of Gareth Bale to be honest – he plays so effortlessly.”
It was the biggest of statements from Jermain Defoe, the former Spurs striker, comparing AFC Bournemouth’s 19-year-old forward Rayan to Premier League great Bale.
Defoe saw Bale’s rise first-hand at Spurs, where the Welshman won the EFL Cup and several Player of the Season awards before moving to Real Madrid and winning the UEFA Champions League five times.
“You get a lot of players, like [Lionel] Messi and [Eden] Hazard, who dribble with it close to their foot, but he (Rayan) knocks it out of his feet and gets onto it,” Defoe said on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football (MNF).
“He’s so dynamic, quick, strong. One v one he never turns it down – I love players like that. He comes inside, he’s efficient in front of goal. He’s been amazing. This is a kid that can go to the next level.”
The MNF analysts displayed Rayan’s season shot map. He has scored five goals from 25 shots – a mix of right-foot, left-foot and headers.Rayan, signed from Brazilian side Vasco da Gama in January, has scored in his last three Premier League games. Only three teenagers have scored in four successive matches: Robbie Fowler, Nicolas Anelka and Francis Jeffers.
Casemiro compares Fernandes with Modric
Rio Ferdinand picked Casemiro up from his house in a taxi and interviewed the Manchester United midfielder on the way to the club’s Carrington training ground in the latest episode of the Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube show.
During the conversation, Casemiro discussed FWA Footballer of the Year Bruno Fernandes and compared his direct style with that of Luka Modric.
Casemiro played alongside midfielder Modric for nine years at Real Madrid, where they won five Champions Leagues and three LaLiga titles together.
“I love Bruno,” Casemiro said. “What I love about Bruno, he plays forward every time. Every time he kills the opposition team.
“I love this because sometimes you lose two or three goals but he looks forward all the time. I love Bruno’s game because of this. Every time, assist, pass, pass, pass, pass forward, pass forward.
“Luka, every time he turns, he plays forward. Every time. Turn, play it forward. You pass to him, he never controls it back.”
Ferdinand added that it reminded him of playing alongside Paul Scholes at Man Utd.
Omens good for Hull City as they target promotion
On Monday, Hull City became the first side to book their place in the Championship playoff final – and history suggests they have a strong chance of winning the match and earning promotion to the Premier League.
The Tigers have reached the final twice before and won both times through stunning long-range strikes.
In 2008 they beat Bristol City 1-0 thanks to Dean Windass’s volley from the edge of the box. They were relegated in their second Premier League season, returned after finishing second in 2012/13 and were relegated again in their second season back.
But they came straight back up via the playoffs, beating Sheffield Wednesday in the 2016 playoff final, again by only a single goal. Mohamed Diame scored the winner from even further out than Windass.
Hull’s story this season is even more remarkable considering they began the campaign under a transfer embargo.
Manager Sergej Jakirovic told the BBC ahead of the semi-final second leg against Millwall that anyone who said they would be this close to the Premier League would have been “crazy”.
Hull will face either Southampton or Middlesbrough in the final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 23 May.

Arsenal have been handed a boost in signing Atalanta midfielder Ederson, with Atletico Madrid turning their attention to Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Joao Gomes.

The Gunners could enter the transfer market for a new midfielder this summer, and it has previously been reported that they could compete with Atletico for Ederson.

They have now been handed a big boost with Diego Simeone’s side pulling out of the race.

Reputed journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Atletico don’t want to pay £39 million for the 26-year-old whose contract expires in June next year.

Manchester Evening News have now revealed that Atletico are ‘expected’ to sign Gomes from Wolves instead. They are in advanced talks for the player.

In our view, the Gunners now have the door open to complete a deal for Ederson.

Ederson could be signed as Norgaard’s replacement

The Gunners signed Norgaard from Brentford in a deal worth £15m last summer. The Dane has been a fringe player with less than 60 minutes of league action.

Manager Mikel Arteta has benched Martin Zubimendi for the last three matches, but it has been Myles Lewis-Skelly, who has got the nod to partner Declan Rice in the heart of the midfield.

It is quite clear that the manager does not trust Norgaard enough, despite his good track record at Brentford. We won’t be surprised if he heads through the exit door this summer.

Ederson would be a superb replacement and could provide fierce competition for a starting spot.

The 26-year-old has had a brilliant individual season at Atalanta. He has completed 89 percent of his passes in Serie A, while winning an average of five duels alongside four recoveries per game.

The former Salernitana man has also won two tackles per outing. He also possesses good ball control, losing possession on fewer than eight occasions per league appearance for Atalanta.

At 26, Ederson is at the prime phase of his career and would be a bargain signing at £39m. The Gunners may negotiate a lower fixed fee, with easy performance add-ons covering the remainder.

United are likewise keen on landing the highly-rated midfielder. The Gunners must be proactive to beat the Red Devils in the pursuit of Ederson, who appears open to a move to English football.

Stats from Sofascore

Monday’s best bets from across the tracks. You’ve Googled, consulted ChatGPT, and asked your sister’s boyfriend’s mate, but you’re still not sure what a NAPs Table is?Well, trouble yourself no more, friend. Just think of it as your one-stop shop for the best bets from the cream of the British and Irish horse racing press. The tipsters are ranked by their profit or loss to Level Stakes, so you know who has been banging in the winners and who, well, hasn’t. You can find their NAP of the Day selections by scrolling down to the table at the bottom of this page.Up to speed? Great! Here’s a round-up of today’s racing.The Grade 3 An Riocht Chase (18:37) tops the bill at Killarney as Paddy Power ambassador Harry Cobden rides Gentleman De Mee for new boss JP McManus. The Willie Mullins-trained gelding faces seven rivals including last year’s Galway Plate second Jesse Evans. There’s also Jump action at Southwell.Switching codes and the Class 3 Sprint Series Handicap (18:17) tops the bill at Windsor as C&D scorer Badri reverts to the turf for the first time in eight months. There are also fixtures on the level at Catterick, Roscommon and Wolverhampton.If you’re keen on one of the tipsters’ NAPs, you can have a punt by clicking the ‘Bet Now’ button next to the selection. We’ve also got live streams of today’s racing on paddypower.com, and you can find results from across the tracks in a flash on our Fast Results page.Tap here for PP.com racing oddsThe Paddy Power Guide To Safer Gambling – Everything You Need To Know
NAPS & Tipster
Time
Course
Level Stakes
Odds
Eastern VeilMatt Polley – Ipswich Star21:00in 11hrs 26minWolverhampton33.333 Agnes HathawayNewmarket – Racing Post18:30in 8hrs 56minWolverhampton18.15 Fighter’s SpiritThe Data Detective – RaceiQ17:42in 8hrs 8minWindsor15.031Search BetsArctic SummerFarringdon – Morning Star17:00in 7hrs 26minCatterick12.883 Correspondence – The Guardian19:17in 9hrs 43minWindsor11.25 Diligently – racing-daily.com18:17in 8hrs 43minWindsor7.858 Berkshire BoomGarry Owen – Daily Record19:47in 10hrs 13minWindsor6.2 Free PicRP Ratings – Racing Post16:30in 6hrs 56minCatterick4.608 Lady MiltonLambourn – Racing Post21:00in 11hrs 26minWolverhampton4.25 Sun SoldierIan Gaughran – Irish Herald17:53in 8hrs 19minRoscommon4.25 My Mate RogerThe Brigadier – punterslounge.com17:42in 8hrs 8minWindsor4.034 Under The TwilightJason Heavey – The Star18:17in 8hrs 43minWindsor3.283 Fighter’s SpiritRob Wright – The Times17:42in 8hrs 8minWindsor3Search BetsEternity RoseSpotlight – Racing Post17:47in 8hrs 13minSouthwell2.809 Akho MezznaLuke Tucker – Cambridge Evening News19:47in 10hrs 13minWindsor1.75 Roman SpringRoss Shepherd – Wrexham Leader19:17in 9hrs 43minWindsor1.7 Wave RockNewsboy – Daily Mirror19:30in 9hrs 56minWolverhampton1.575 Daboya – The Irish Sun19:53in 10hrs 19minRoscommon1.555 Captain PicklesThe North – Racing Post20:30in 10hrs 56minWolverhampton1.458 Celestra – bettinggods.com20:00in 10hrs 26minWolverhampton0.61 Under The TwilightSam Hardy – Weekender18:17in 8hrs 43minWindsor0.361 Silver GunnAndrew Mount – Racing and Football Outlook17:12in 7hrs 38minWindsor0.233 Free PicGlendale – The Scotsman16:30in 6hrs 56minCatterick0.148 Desert CopPostdata – Racing Post18:17in 8hrs 43minWindsor-0.8 Under The TwilightThe Judge – The Favourite18:17in 8hrs 43minWindsor-0.867 Jesse EvansBrian Flanagan – Irish Daily Star18:37in 9hrs 3minKillarney-1.25 Huckleberry StingThe Duke – Yorkshire Post14:42in 5hrs 8minSouthwell-1.341 Coconut BayFortunatus – Sheffield Star14:30in 4hrs 56minCatterick-1.417 MerapiTipman Tips – tipmantips.com19:30in 9hrs 56minWolverhampton-1.911 Free PicLee Sobot – Yorkshire Evening Post16:30in 6hrs 56minCatterick-1.975 Free PicRatings Hub – attheraces.com16:30in 6hrs 56minCatterick-2.075 Diligently – Sunday Express18:17in 8hrs 43minWindsor-2.209 AnnastarzyMarlborough – Daily Telegraph19:47in 10hrs 13minWindsor-3.294 Coillte M C GAdrian Wall – myracing.com19:07in 9hrs 33minKillarney-3.804 TubaWest Country – Racing Post19:00in 9hrs 26minWolverhampton-4 Kilkenny WarriorDean Kilbryde – East Anglian Daily Times21:00in 11hrs 26minWolverhampton-4 Huckleberry StingComputeform – The Racing App14:42in 5hrs 8minSouthwell-4.403 Sandy CraicJeffrey Ross – Sporting Times15:00in 5hrs 26minCatterick-4.562 Louis Veron – Mirror Online17:17in 7hrs 43minSouthwell-4.592 Mount RuapehuJim Delahunt – Scottish Sun14:30in 4hrs 56minCatterick-5 Free PicMercury – Daily Post16:30in 6hrs 56minCatterick-5.412 Change SingsRobin Goodfellow – Daily Mail18:17in 8hrs 43minWindsor-6.023 Wild ThoughtsMelissa Jones – D Express19:47in 10hrs 13minWindsor-6.028 Betties BayTemplegate – The Sun17:00in 7hrs 26minCatterick-6.175 Change SingsBen Morgan – Racing Ahead18:17in 8hrs 43minWindsor-6.467 HengestOn The Nose – Racing Post17:12in 7hrs 38minWindsor-6.792 Straight Back UpRory Paddock – Jersey Evening Post17:23in 7hrs 49minRoscommon-7 Lheur De GloireThe Punt – Racing Post16:42in 7hrs 8minSouthwell-7.167 Arlecchino’s RexChris Wright – Liverpool Echo19:30in 9hrs 56minWolverhampton-7.778Search BetsSimba’s GiftMoorestyle – Daily Star Sunday20:30in 10hrs 56minWolverhampton-8.375Search Bets*Odds quotes are correct at time of publishing but all prices are subject to change.