Wolves Battle Bournemouth: Key Features and News Preview
Wolverhampton Wanderers are set to face AFC Bournemouth at Molineux this Saturday afternoon. The match comes after Wolves experienced their first loss of 2026 against Manchester City, where they were defeated 2-0.
Team News and Injury Updates
Wolves will welcome back Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, who has recovered from a hamstring injury that sidelined him since early December. He participated in a full week of first-team training and is expected to be included in the squad for the match.
However, Wolves captain Toti is still working on regaining full fitness following his own hamstring injury. He recently returned to light training. Additionally, Ladislav Krejci is a doubt due to illness, having missed training this week and will undergo a late fitness test.
Bournemouth’s Injury Concerns
AFC Bournemouth are facing several injury challenges ahead of their trip to Molineux. Key forward Justin Kluivert is out indefinitely due to a knee injury. Midfielder Tyler Adams will also miss the match as he recovers from a similar issue.
Marcus Tavernier and Ben Gannon-Doak are unavailable due to thigh injuries. Goalkeeper David Brooks may return after a late fitness test. However, Bournemouth has bolstered their squad this January, acquiring several new players:
- Rayan – Brazilian forward from Vasco da Gama
- Ade Solanke – Arrival from Lorient
- Alex Toth – Signed from Ferencvaros
- Fraser Forster – Moved from Tottenham Hotspur
- Christos Mandas – Loaned from Lazio
Current Form and Recent Meetings
Wolves had a promising start to the new year, achieving five unbeaten matches prior to their recent loss. They recorded victories against West Ham United in the league and Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup. Earlier this season, Bournemouth edged out Wolves in their previous encounter with a narrow 1-0 victory.
Bournemouth, sitting 13th in the Premier League standings, comes into this match after two wins and a draw in their last three league matches. They recently defeated Liverpool 3-2 at home following a draw with Brighton & Hove Albion and a 3-2 win against Tottenham Hotspur.
Statistical Overview
| Key Stats | Wolves | Bournemouth |
|---|---|---|
| Top Scorer | Jorgen Strand Larsen – 6 goals | Eli Kroupi – 7 goals |
| Top Assists | Hee Chan Hwang – 3 assists | Marcos Senesi – 4 assists |
| Biggest Win | Wolves 6-1 Shrewsbury | Bournemouth 3-1 Fulham |
| Clean Sheets | Jose Sa – 2 | Djordje Petrovic – 5 |
Conclusion
The upcoming clash between Wolves and Bournemouth promises to be an exciting encounter. Both teams are looking to secure important points as they navigate their Premier League campaigns. With injuries impacting squad selections, fans can expect a fierce competition at Molineux this Saturday.
