Wolves v Ipswich preview: A relegation six-pointer

With two wins, three draws and 10 defeats from 15 Premier League games, Gary O'Neil's side sit 19th in the division and only behind newly-promoted Ipswich on goal difference.

A run of three consecutive losses, in which they have conceded 10 goals, has piled the pressure on O'Neil as Wolves desperately seek some inspiration to drag themselves out of trouble.

Those three losses came following back-to-back wins over Southampton and Fulham, and with Ipswich and Leicester the next two opponents before Christmas, Wolves are in 'must-win' territory.

The club's hierarchy are sticking by O'Neil - after previously sounding out potential successors - but the head coach still cannot afford to lose to Kieran McKenna's side tomorrow if he has any realistic chance of taking this team forward.

In order to get a result, Wolves must cut out their defensive errors and weakness from set pieces and put in more fight than we saw in the embarrassing 4-0 loss at Everton.

They will also need Matheus Cunha to return to his best, after three lacklustre displays.

The Brazilian said: “This moment is not the moment we want it to be. We want to play and then have a lot of dreams to arrive at some points that everyone thinks we have the capacity to be – but football is like this. We need to continue to build something good and try to change the situation.

“In our situation, it’s almost like every single game is like this. We need to fight, and then you need to show everyone that we have potential to change the situation, and we have the capacity to change the situation. This will never change and this game will not be different.

“Of course, Ipswich have the same points than us, so it’s also a hard situation for them, but this is kind of game will not be a football game, it will be a war. I need to be like a great warrior and it's easier to be great warrior when you have the fans around you and the club that you love, so I hope Saturday we can show again everyone that they should have big faith in us to change everything.”

Joao Gomes will be suspended due to picking up his fifth yellow card in the loss to West Ham on Monday, while Toti Gomes, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Mario Lemina are all one booking away from a one-match ban of their own, and they will need to get through the Ipswich game and the following three fixtures without a caution to avoid a suspension.

Matt Doherty is in good form having started the last two games and could keep his place if O'Neil chooses to stick with his fluid system that sees Doherty play very advanced on the right wing, but tuck into a back five when defending.

Whatever the tactics are, Wolves must start quickly and get the fans on board to avoid a toxic Molineux atmosphere.