A huge opportunity beckons for Wolves as they lock horns with Coventry in their FA Cup quarter-final clash at Molineux on Saturday afternoon.
Wolves have been flourishing in recent weeks under the tutelage of Gary O’Neil, and a chance to qualify for Europe remains a realistic target.
Despite the 3-0 reverse away to Newcastle earlier this month, Wolves responded with a 2-1 win at home to Fulham last weekend which indicated they are back on track.
Coventry, who were a penalty shootout away from promotion to the Premier League last term, have recovered admirably after a tepid start to their Championship campaign, and they are now within striking distance of the play-offs.
As the lowest-ranked side left in the FA Cup, expectations might be slightly tempered for the Sky Blues, who are making their first appearance in the last eight of the competition in 15 years.
But can Coventry defy the odds and reach the semi-finals? I have rushed over to the markets and plucked out a couple of betting tips for your consideration.
Wolves to make the most of home comforts
In stark contrast to their shaky away form, Wolves have looked more assured on home soil.
As far as the FA Cup is concerned, Wolves, who were the 1960 winners, have experience at this stage of the competition, winning two of their past three quarter-final matches, most recently a 2-1 victory over Manchester United in 2018/19 to rekindle memories of.
Against Coventry, Wolves are unbeaten in their last five home clashes in all competitions (W3 D2), and this game will mark their first meeting in the FA Cup since the 1983/84 third round when Coventry progressed courtesy of a 3-0 victory in a replay.
It would be remiss to overlook Coventry are the FA Cup’s top scorers this term from the first round onwards with 16 goals, the joint-most they have managed since 1962/63.
Kasey Palmer has been potent, managing seven goal involvements (three goals and four assists) in his last five FA Cup outings for Coventry, but I think Wolves will be a serious step up and perhaps a bridge too far.
So, for my first pick, I’m going to go with Wolves to sail through to the semi-finals by virtue of a two-goal winning margin. A tempting price of 7/2 can be unlocked at Paddy Power.
Mario Lemina to pounce early on
While Wolves aren’t quite the walking wounded, the injuries are certainly piling up, and they will be bereft of arguably their best player in Pedro Neto.
Hwang Hee-chan is also out for a few weeks with a hamstring injury, so the goals will have to come from somewhere.
In the previous round, Mario Lemina was quick out of the blocks, and he only needed two minutes against Brighton to hook home from close range.
That marked his fifth goal of the campaign in all competitions, and I fancy Lemina to find the back of the net against Coventry.
To round things off, I’ve gone with a match special for Lemina to net inside the six-yard area, and he’s trading at intriguing odds of 11/1 to do so with William Hill which might be worth pursuing.
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