Wolverhampton Wanderers v Stoke City: play-off push meets early survival fight | OneFootball

Wolverhampton Wanderers host Stoke City in the Championship at Molineux on Saturday, 29 August 2026, with the hosts aiming to consolidate a top-six start and the visitors chasing their first points after two defeats.

Wolverhampton Wanderers sit fourth with four points from two games after a win and a draw. Stoke City are 22nd following back-to-back league losses.

Wolves arrive unbeaten in the league, beating Preston North End 3-1 away after a 2-2 opener against Blackburn Rovers, and they have also won twice in the EFL Cup this month. Stoke City lost 2-1 to Swansea City and 3-1 at Southampton, then went out of the cup on penalties after a 1-1 draw with Hull City.

Team news: Wolves are without Kieran Trippier, Jeanricner Bellegarde, Rafiki Said Ahamada, Ladislav Krejčí and Yerson Mosquera through injury. Stoke City miss Aaron Cresswell, while Svante Ingelsson is suspended.

On the pitch, Wolves average 54% possession and 85.45% pass accuracy, with 26 shots and 30 open-play crosses at 20% accuracy, so they could look to control the ball and work the flanks. Fer López has two league goals and one assist, with Adam Armstrong also on the scoresheet. Stoke City have seen 42% of the ball and conceded five league goals. Eric Junior Bocat and Ethan Galbraith provide their threat, and transitions may be their route against a side yet to keep a clean sheet.

A home win would take Wolves to seven points and could strengthen their grip on the play-off places. Victory for Stoke City would put them on three points and may lift them away from the relegation zone. Wolves then visit West Ham United on Tuesday, while Stoke City host Norwich City.