Wolves fixtures: Fans bullish despite tough start

New boss Nuno Espirito Santo would have surely hoped for a more gentle introduction to English football.

However, an Express & Star poll indicated Wolves fans still remain confident about their opening month despite the tricky opposition.

Nathan Judah analyses the results:

Middlesbrough (H)

With Garry Monk at the helm and little player upheaval at the Riverside, Boro are the bookies’ joint favourites to return to the Premier League.

Wolves have a dreadful record on Teesside having never won at the Riverside Stadium, but they have had success at Molineux with their last victory coming in 2014/15.

But if there is a good time to play Boro, it may be on opening day, before they hit full stride.

And fans were confident enough to predict Nuno will get off to a dream start as new Wolves boss with an opening day win.

Fans’ prediction: WIN

(Win 43% Draw 40% Lose 17%)

Derby (A)

Derby are the dark horses of the Championship with many already gobbling up the initial 14/1 quoted to win the league. Wolves fans clamoured for the appointment of Gary Rowett during the testing times former boss Paul Lambert went through.

But the former Blues boss ended up at Pride Park and galvanised a Derby side that were desperately lacking direction. Wolves were soundly beaten in late April and fans don’t hold out much hope of any points this time around.

Fans’ prediction: LOSE

(Win 14% Draw 37% Lose 49%)

Hull (A)

New coach, an exodus of payers and a chairman who wants to sell is not the ideal start for newly-relegated Hull.

There are plenty of questions that will need to be answered as fans continue to grow restless on Humberside.

It’s difficult to predict what type of team former Russia boss Leonid Slutsky will have at his disposal and Wolves fans remain cautious too.

Fans’ prediction : DRAW

(Win 34% Draw 39% Lose 27%)

Cardiff (H)

Wolves fans see the visit of Cardiff as their best chance for three points in August.

A whopping 87 per cent of fans expect Wolves to match their three points picked up in the corresponding fixture (3-1) last season.

But Cardiff finished the season as one of the form teams in the league under Neil Warnock and will be wary of striker Kenneth Zohore.

Two wins from two home games will surely have the Molineux faithful rocking.

Fans’ prediction: WIN

(Win 87% Draw 9% Lose 4%)

Brentford (A)

And if fans are to be believed, things will go from good to great for Wolves with their first away win of the season at Brentford.

Some 59 per cent feel Nuno’s men will leave Griffin Park with all three points, although hopefully with less grey hairs after their late comeback win last season.

Dean Smith was furious at his side’s performance on that night and will be determined to settle the score.

Fans’ prediction: WIN

(Win 59% Draw 33% Lose 8%)

August prediction – P5 W3 D1 L1 Pts 10 – If Wolves were to take 10 points from a difficult August, it would be a stunning start for Nuno's new-look team in their quest for a Premier League return.