Wolves v Manchester United: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Two Portuguese managers who are relatively new to the Premier League will go to battle at Molineux on Boxing Day as Wolves host Manchester United. 

Vitor Pereira had a dream debut as Wolves manager as his side beat Leicester 3-0, while the positivity around Manchester United's Ruben Amorim has already dipped following successive losses to Tottenham and Bournemouth and they could be heading towards an unwanted hat-trick of defeats.

Wolves v Manchester United betting tips and predictions

Wolves to win - 14/5

Manchester United remain strong favourites to return to winning ways at Molineux, but hosts Wolves look a value bet to make it a nightmare Christmas for the Red Devils.

Wolves are five places and 10 points behind United in the Premier League standings, although it could be argued they will come into the match with greater confidence.

Much-travelled new boss Pereira got an immediate reaction from the team with Sunday's 3-0 success at Leicester and will be aiming to build on that first positive impression on the Wanderers faithful.

Pereira reckons Wolves are in a false position and once belief is restored they will start to climb the table having lost their way this season under the sacked Gary O'Neil.

Wolves have the worst defensive record in the Premier League with 40 goals conceded in 17 matches. O'Neil was unable to decide on his best goalkeeper and also tried to move to a back four at times this term, whereas Pereira appears clearer on the tactical identity of the team.

Jose Sa was restored in goal, with a three-man defence in front and Wolves were rewarded with a clean sheet. If they can rectify the defensive issues, they should climb the table.

There is nothing wrong with Wolves in attack - they have scored more goals than fourth-placed Nottingham Forest - and have also notched six more than United despite being in the relegation zone.

United look a major work in progress and it will take time for Amorim to undo years of mismanagement.

Home defeats to Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth do not bode well and they were also knocked out of the League Cup by Tottenham.

United conceded 10 goals in those three defeats and are still trying to adjust to Amorim's three-man defence.

Alternative Total Goals - Over 3.5 - 13/8

Wolves games tend to be fun with 67 goals in their 17 Premier League matches this season and taking over 3.5 goals is a worthwhile bet.

United's only clean sheet in nine matches under Amorim was the 4-0 success over Everton and a total of 34 goals have been scored across those fixtures.

If there is any encouragement for Amorim it is the form of Amad Diallo, a goalscorer in the loss to Spurs and match-winner in the derby victory over Manchester City. 

Amad has had six assists and two goals in his last ten matches in all competitions and tried his best against Bournemouth, having three shots. He had four efforts in the win at City and five in just 35 minutes at Tottenham, so is clearly going to prove a threat to Wolves.

Wanderers have scored in every home game this season, but conceded at least twice in six of their eight league games at Molineux.

Player Shots on Target - Harry Maguire Over 0.5 - 10/3

One area Pereira must get more out of Wolves is defending set-pieces, but he has not had long to work with his new squad on the training pitch and there could still be an aerial vulnerability.

Wolves have conceded a league-high 14 goals from set-pieces, five more than anyone else with United coincidently second on the list, and there will be a nervousness every time there is a dead-ball situation at either end.

Harry Maguire is usually a dangerous presence at set-pieces and, while he has scored only once this season, getting an effort on target could be a more achievable target for the centre-back.

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Wolves v Manchester United - Money Back in Free Bets Offer

As part of the Festive 12 campaign, bet365 is offering new and eligible customers a Money Back in Free Bets offer on Wolves v Manchester United, which takes place at 17:30 GMT on Thursday 26th December.

• This offer is available to new and eligible customers only.
• The qualifying match for this offer is Wolves v Man Utd taking place at 17:30 UK Time on Thursday 26th December 2024.
• To qualify for the offer, add your qualifying Bet Builder to the bet slip, enter your cash stake amount (up to £10), select ‘Use Money Back in Free Bets’ and place the bet. If your qualifying bet loses, you will receive your money back in Bet Credits.
• The maximum return in Bet Credits that can be received is £10.
• Bets placed must meet certain conditions to count:
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  • Must contain minimum odds of 1/1 (2.00) or greater.
  • Where a stake has been partially Cashed Out, only the remaining active stake will count.
  • Where a bet has been edited using our Edit Bet feature, the offer will no longer apply.
  • Fully Cashed Out, Instant Games, Gaming, Free Bets, void bets, single bets, bets placed using Bet Credits or Fantasy Sports entries will not qualify.
• Money Back in Free Bets will apply to your chosen Bet Builder once ‘Use Money Back in Free Bets’ is selected on the Bet Slip. If you place two or more bets on the same Bet Slip, only the selection that has been nominated as the Money Back in Free Bets bet will qualify.
• Where a qualifying bet is placed on a market that can be settled as part won and part loss, for example an Each Way or Asian Line bet, the Bet Credits received will be the difference between the original stake and the returns received. For example, if you place a £5 Each Way bet totalling £10 using a Money Back in Free Bets bet that is settled as a
• Place with total returns of £8, you would receive £2 in Bet Credits. If the returns received are greater than the original stake, no Bet Credits will be credited and the offer will be closed.
• If you are eligible for this promotion, your Bet Credits will be added to your Bet Credits balance within 24 hours of the fixture finishing.
• Your Bet Credits are non-withdrawable, and Bet Credits stakes are not included in any returns. Any returns from Bet Credits placed will be added to your Withdrawable Balance. Bet Credits cannot be used on certain products, offers/promotions and bet types. See full Terms and Conditions for details.
• Your Bet Credits will expire 7 days after they are added to your Bet Credits balance.

Wolves v Manchester United odds

Wolves - 14/5
Draw - 13/5
Manchester United - 19/20

View the full market and more odds for Wolves v Manchester United on site

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.