Liverpool v Wolves: Focus on Cunha in Anfield battle | OneFootball

English Premier League

Matheus Cunha: Wolves' biggest attacking threat

The visitors' star man, Matheus Cunha, is the centre of attention in Andy Schooler's preview of Liverpool v Wolves on Sunday...

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Liverpool v WolvesSunday 16 February, 14:00Live on Sky Sports Premier League & Main Event

The Quadruple bid is over and there's been a slight stutter in the Premier League title race but are Liverpool really in danger of blowing their considerable lead?

For me, the answer is no but there's also little doubt that the Reds' level has dipped in recent weeks, certainly when compared to their autumn flowing best.

They've actually only won six of their 12 games in all competitions in 2025, conceding in eight of them, and they look set to be without Joe Gomez and Cody Gakpo for this one.

Wednesday's draw with Everton ended amid acrimony and some pretty bitter comments, although few of them focused on their own performance which, frankly, was disappointing in the main. On the overall balance of the game, it was hard to deny the hosts deserved their point.

Reds have tamed Wolves of late

The good news is they now have a great chance to return to winning ways - at home to a side battling relegation.Wolves come into this one just two points above the relegation zone and will doubtless be aware of their awful record against the Reds.

Since their return to the Premier League in 2018, Wolves have lost 12 of 13 in the competition against Liverpool (the other was drawn). At Anfield, they've lost all six by a combined score of 14-1.

For this edition, we have the league's best attack (58 goals in 24 games) up against the third-worst defence (52 conceded).

Wolves have at least won their last two, beating Aston Villa in their last league game before easing past Blackburn in the FA Cup, but it's still hard to be confident about their chances of winning at 15.0 given they've managed to take just two points from a possible 36 against members of the current top eight.

On the flip side, the hunt for value is a hard one with the hosts just 1.21 for victory.

BTTS has some merit

What I would say is that a Liverpool win with both teams scoring has some merit.

Wolves have scored in eight of those 12 games against the top eight, while Liverpool have conceded in their last four at Anfield, where four of their eight league wins have seen opponents find the net.

Wolves' tally of 34 goals is the best among the bottom six and I've written on these pages several times this season about their ability with the ball.

Odds of 2.68 here are worth considering.

Cunha shots and fouls appeal

However, better opportunities lie in the sub-markets.

The main reason for Wolves' goalscoring numbers has been Matheus Cunha - he now has 12 goals and four assists for the season.

Unsurprisingly, his shot numbers have also been high and this is the angle I like here given the price.

Cunha is 8/5 for 3+ shots, something he's managed in eight of his last nine appearances, including against Liverpool's title rivals Arsenal.

Since returning to the starting XI after injury last month, he's had exactly 50% of his team's shots (21 of 42), which helps show how pivotal he is to Wolves' attack.

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I accept there's a chance that Liverpool click back into top gear and Wolves are rolled over here but they do seem likely to have a go rather than sink into their shell.

Cunha has had at least two shots in all bar two games this season so you should get a run for your money the odds are good enough to give this a try.

I also like Cunha in the fouls market.

He's committed 13 of them in his last three games with only Bournemouth having made more fouls in the top flight this season than Wolves.

They've hit the 20 mark in their last two league games (the league average is just over 22 per match - not per team!).

As for Cunha himself, the forward has landed the 2+ fouls bet in nine of his last 12 games and so I'm struggling to see why he's available to back at 3.0, or 9/5 on the Sportsbook.

OK, Liverpool aren't the most-fouled team and the referee could be better - Simon Hooper's fouls-per-game figure is just below that league average - but Wolves are fighting for their lives and Everton showed them that roughing up the Reds can reap dividends.

Bet Builder options

The Cunha double pays north of 6/1 via the Sportsbook's Bet Builder tool, while you could also add Rayan Ait-Nouri for a shot to takes it above 11/1.

The Algerian wing-back has managed that in 17 of 25 starts this season and should be able to get beyond the attack-minded full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold on occasions.

Recommended bets

1pt Matheus Cunha 3+ shots @ 8/51pt Matheus Cunha to commit 2+ fouls @ 3.0

Andy Schooler's P/L 2024/25

Staked: 20.5pts Returned: 19.39pts P/L: -1.11pts

2023/24: +4.54pts