Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool: Will Wolves ruin Rafa’s revival?

Rafa Benitez promised Liverpool would finish in the top four this season. After beating rivals Tottenham Hotspur last Wednesday at Anfield, the Spaniard’s vow could well come true. Despite enduring the season from hell, the Reds are just one point off the Champions League places and they know exactly what it takes to see the job through.

Most teams baulk at the thought of entertaining Liverpool but Wolves certainly don’t fall into that category. You have to go back to 1979 for the last time Liverpool won at Molineux and given the Reds’ poor away form this season it wouldn’t be that much of a shock to see Wolves extend that impressive run.

Liverpool have lost five of their 11 away games this season and scored just 12 over that period. They have struggled badly but have managed to grind out enough results to ensure that they remain within touching distance of the top four. Meanwhile, Wolves have lost six of their 11 home games this season and managed to find the net on just nine occasions – the joint lowest in the top flight alongside Birmingham City. But unlike their Midlands’ rivals City, Wolves just aren’t as effective as the Blues defensively, hence why they are in the top half of the table and Wolves are currently hovering over the drop zone.

With Manchester City tied up in Carling Cup action this week, Liverpool could return to fourth spot with victory here combined with a Fulham win over Spurs. However, a win for Wolves would give them a massive boost of confidence and potentially see them climb three places.

However, despite their impressive record against the Reds, the majority of the Panel is going for an away win.

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool; Kick Off 7:45pm 26 Jan 2010

Prediction Panel

Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Dave Blackburn : 1 - 2
Chris Cox : TBC
Graham Enwright : 0 - 2
Sue Gardener : TBC
Chris Goodwin : 1 - 1
Paul Grech (sqf) : TBC
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 1 - 2
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC
Peter Lee : 0 - 2
Don McMahon : TBC
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 1 - 2
Paul O'Meara (sqf) : TBC
Dave Nash : 1 - 1
Stephen Orford (sqf) : TBC
Tony Ratton : 0 - 2
Peter Rendle : 0 - 1
Dan Taylor : 0 - 1
Andy Wakeman : 0 - 1
Isaac Williams : TBC
Mark Williams : 0 - 2

Panel Verdict

Liverpool are firm favourites to collect all three points.

Home: 0; Draw: 2; Away: 10; TBC: 8.

* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!