Wolverhampton Wanderers

Defeat for Stoke at Molineux on Saturday (12:30 BST) would see them lose their opening three games of a league season for the first time in 16 years.

Wolves were 3-1 winners at Preston last weekend to record their first away win in the league since April 2025 when they won at Manchester United.

• Wolverhampton Wanderers have lost each of their past three league games against Stoke City, with this set to be their first since April 2012 in the Premier League (lost 2-1 away).

• Stoke City have won two of their past four away league matches against Wolverhampton Wanderers (D1 L1), as many victories as across their prior 27 visits (D11 L14).

• Wolves could draw four home league games in succession for the first time since April 2016, while after drawing with Blackburn in their opener, they are trying to avoid failing to win either of their opening two home matches of a second tier campaign for just the third time this century after 2004-05 and 2015-16.

• After losing their opening two league games this season, Stoke will be hoping to avoid losing their opening three fixtures of a league campaign for the first time since 2010-11 in the Premier League which included a 2-1 away loss to Wolves.

• Wolves' Adam Armstrong has only played more league games in his career without scoring against Fulham (11) than Stoke City (10 apps).

Celtic are understood to be considering a move for experienced Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, 33. (Mail), external

For more EFL transfer news and rumours, read Thursday's full gossip column here.

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Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Ki-Jana Hoever has joined Sparta Prague for an undisclosed fee on a "multi-year deal".

The 24-year-old Dutchman joined Wolves from Liverpool in September 2020. He made 33 appearances in all competitions but spent much of his six years with the club out on loan.

He had a brief spell back in the Netherlands with PSV Eindhoven, two separate stints at Stoke City, and also had loans at Auxerre and Sheffield United.

"When you're not in a rhythm of playing regularly it's tough. You return from a loan and you're not fully part of it, so he's suffered," technical director Matt Jackson told the club website., external

Aadam Patel
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Ruben Neves says he still has one eye on Wolves as they look to return to the Premier League.

Neves, 29, captained the side during his six-year spell at Molineux before moving to Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League.

"Every time I can, I still watch Wolves. It's one of my favourite teams. Since I was there, I loved it and I have a lot of friends there," he said.

"I watched the game against Port Vale in the EFL Cup (which they won 3-0) so I'm very happy and I'm sure they will do very good in the Championship."

In Neves' first campaign at Wolves in 2017-18, the Portuguese midfielder won the Player of the Season award as they won the Championship title under Nuno Espirito Santo.

"It reminds me of my first season there and I hope they come back to the Premier League as soon as possible," Neves added.

His Al-Hilal side have got off to a good start, winning their opening two league games in the Saudi Pro League. They last won the title in 2023-24 and are closing in on signing both Gabriel Martinelli from Arsenal and Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa.

On his personal ambitions, Neves said: "I play for the biggest team in Asia so our main goal is to win every single trophy we play for so for me, that's the most important."

Wolves midfielder Fer Lopez believes a loan spell with Spanish side Celta Vigo has made him "more prepared for football".

The Spaniard has scored three goals in as many appearances this season, including a double in Saturday's 3-1 win at Preston.

Lopez struggled to adapt after arriving at Molineux last summer in a £19m deal and returned to his former club on loan for the second half of the season.

The 22-year-old said he chose playing time over financial incentives when choosing to move back home, and went on to make 23 appearances for the La Liga side, scoring twice.

"It was the best decision I could have made, especially to Celta because I knew I was going to play," he told BBC Radio WM.

"I went there, to Spain, losing money. There were some teams that (would) pay me double, but I think that at this age playing football is the most important thing, so it was the best decision I could have made.

"I think it shows now that I'm quicker, I'm stronger, I'm more prepared for football because the only thing I needed was minutes."

Emma Milton
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves' 3-1 win at Preston was about more than three points. It ended a 489-day wait for an away league victory and gave supporters a much-needed reason to enjoy their Saturday.

It was marvellous to see around 5,600 Wolves fans at Deepdale in full voice from the first whistle. Their support reflected the importance of the occasion, but it also raised the standards expected of this team.

The first half was not always comfortable. There were moments when Wolves looked uncertain and Preston caused problems. However, after the break, something began to change. The players appeared more relaxed, passed the ball with greater purpose and started to play their own game.

That is what made the performance encouraging. Wolves did not simply score and retreat. They continued to attack, pressed higher and showed more belief in the style Cesar Peixoto is trying to build.

"Today we didn't lose our identity, and we didn't lose our organisation, for 90 minutes at a good level," Peixoto said afterwards.

That identity is still developing, but there were clear signs of progress at Deepdale. Wolves looked more cohesive in possession, and their attacking movements had greater purpose. They are not producing that level of football consistently yet, but the pieces are beginning to fit. This team still has plenty of room to improve.

Fer Lopez was the standout player, scoring twice and showing the confidence to find space and take responsibility. Marshall Munetsi was exceptional, mopping up defensively while pressing aggressively, and Andre was typically composed. Tommy Doyle also looked solid after coming on.

We did not see much of Jordan James, but his quality on the ball and intelligent runs suggested Wolves may have found an excellent addition. Even Boubacar Traoré offered something different during his brief cameo, pointing to a midfield with plenty of promise.

There is also plenty to look forward to in attack. Adam Armstrong made an immediate impact after coming on, combining well with Raul Jimenez before scoring. The prospect of seeing more of that partnership is exciting, especially as their understanding improves.

This was a welcome step forward, but Wolves' confidence remains fragile. One poor result could bring back some of the doubts lingering from last season.

Still, supporters left Deepdale with something to build on. Wolves are beginning to relax, trust their football and show glimpses of their identity. Wolves have the potential to offer much more, so the next challenge is to make those moments the norm rather than the exception.

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Adam Cottier
BBC Radio 5 Live reporter

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Fer Lopez was the conqueror of all who challenged him - or did not - at Deepdale.

The 22-year-old appeared to be the main protagonist in a stylish and promising 3-1 win against Preston for Wolves on Saturday.

Their first away league win for 16 months was born from sheer footballing ability.

Wolves were technically better than Preston in all areas and that was exhibited by Lopez when he spun on halfway and ran unchecked in the eighth minute, so badly unchecked that you could foresee the outcome - a goal with a finish of the highest quality from the Spaniard's left boot.

Only Daniel Iversen in the Preston goal kept Wolves from scoring more.

The visitors - backed by close to 6,000 of their fans - were vibrant when they needed to be.

Their second goal was created by the sharp, quick thinking Adam Armstrong who ran in to just the right spot, having just come on to the pitch, to convert Raul Jimenez's splendid return pass to him.

But it was Lopez who tormented Preston the most and he was too clinical for the beleaguered home side in sweeping in the third.

Lopez has had an outstanding start to the season.

Following relegation, Wolves needed players to stand up and be counted and Lopez led that particular charge on an encouraging afternoon in Lancashire for his team.

How they need such days after the deflation of last season.

Wolves boss Cesar Peixoto declared himself pleased with his side's performance as they earned their first league win of the season.

Fer Lopez's double and a goal from substitute Adam Armstrong saw Wolves end their 489-day wait for a win on the road as they beat Preston 3-1 at Deepdale.

Peixoto told BBC Radio WM: "I'm happy with the performance, in the first half more difficult, a little bit more difficult, but we have the best chances.

"In the second half we managed well the pressure of the opponent and we played like I want with the ball - attract the team and expose the spaces.

"I think we can score more. I'm a little angry because we concede one goal and I don't want to concede one goal, I want a clean sheet. It's normal. But it was a good game for us.

"Congratulations for the players, thank you to our supporters because you help us to win these three points. A lot of people came to support the team. It's very important we stay together. The Championship is very tough and we need all the people around us to support and we need three points."

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Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Jose Sa is expected to be in the side for their game against Preston North End on Saturday (15:00 BST).

The Portugal international, who has made 170 appearances for the club since signing in 2021, did not feature in either their opening day draw with Blackburn Rovers or their EFL Cup victory over Port Vale.

Dan Bentley had been favoured, however, the Englishman has since joined Coventry City, while fellow keeper Sam Johnstone is recovering from a shoulder injury.

Though boss Cesar Peixoto is expected to bring in a new goalkeeper before the end of the transfer window.

"Sa came later from the World Cup, Sam has a long injury and we need to find one solution more to the goalkeeper [situation]," he told BBC Radio WM.

The game against Preston could also see a debut for new signing Jordan James.

The midfielder joined on loan on Thursday and his experience with Leicester City last season could mean he has a quick introduction to the side.

"I think it's very important [with James' experience] because the adaptation to the Championship is fast," Peixoto said.

"He's a player who wants to improve and help us to a good season."

Image source, Coventry City FC

Coventry City have signed experienced goalkeeper Dan Bentley from Wolves.

The 33-year-old has left Molineux and agreed a two-year contract to join Frank Lampard's side for their return to the Premier League.

Bentley only made three appearances last season as Rob Edwards' side were relegated to the Championship after finishing bottom in the top flight.

However, he was named in the starting XIs for Wolves' first two competitive fixtures this season - keeping a clean sheet against Port Vale in the Carabao Cup first round and playing 90 minutes in a 2-2 draw with Blackburn in the Championship.

"Coventry City is a fantastic club and I'm really happy to get this deal over the line," Bentley said. "It feels like a place that is developing and, off the back of a fantastic season last year, there is a really good feel around the place.

"It is really positive and there is an obvious excitement to go into the new season with the aim of being as successful as possible.

"I will bring a lot of experience. I'm a senior player with good leadership qualities and I'm someone who has really high standards. I want to make my mark on the pitch as well, of course.

"There is a really good goalkeeping group here. When I get my opportunity, it is down to me to take it. I want to help the club get results in the Premier League."

Wolves goalkeeper Dan Bentley has agreed a deal to join Coventry City on a free transfer despite the 33-year-old Englishman having a year left on his contract. (Shropshire Star, external)

There could be a Sky Blues player heading to Molineux too, with Wolves among several Championship clubs interested in a loan deal for English striker Ellis Simms, 25. (Darren Witcoop via X, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Friday's gossip column here.

This is a meeting between two founder members of the English Football League with Preston winning 4-0 on the second weekend of the 1888-89 season.

Since then, Preston have won 49 of their encounters while Wolves have recorded 47 victories and there have been 27 draws in all competitions.

• Each of Preston's past four home league games against Wolves have finished as draws since a 3-1 loss in September 2008. It is the same amount of stalemates as across their prior 18 home meetings with Wolves combined.

• Wolves have lost just one of their past eight league games against Preston North End (W3 D4), with this the first meeting between the pair since a 1-1 draw in February 2018.

• Preston have lost just two of their past 11 league games against sides relegated from the Premier League the season prior (W4 D5), though did lose their most recent on home soil against Southampton in May (1-3).

• Since the start of the 2021-22 season, Wolves have failed to win any of their past 11 matches played on the opening two days of a campaign, losing each of their five away games in that run while netting just one goal in total.

• On the opening day of the 2026-27 Championship season, no player completed more successful passes than Wolves defender Toti Gomes (88), while his 95.7% pass accuracy rate was the strongest of any player to produce 40+ completed passes in the competition.

Wolves have entered the race for Brighton winger Amario Cozier-Duberry, 21, with the England under-20 international remaining a target for Rangers and former loan club Bolton. (The Argus, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Wednesday's gossip column here.

Dazzling Dave
Fan writer - Always Wolves

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Wolves' 2-2 draw with Blackburn was not a crisis, but it raised a question supporters have been asking since the start of the season.

Is this squad ready to compete at the top of the Championship and earn an immediate return to the Premier League?

There is attacking talent. Fer Lopez was the clearest example. His pass for Marshall Munetsi's goal was outstanding, but his wider performance was just as encouraging. He found space, played forward and gave Wolves a clear attacking focus.

For a period, Wolves' movement and passing suggested they could cause serious problems in this division. However, that spell did not last.

Once Blackburn settled into the match, Wolves became slow and predictable. They struggled to create space and did not show the same high press or attacking intensity seen during pre-season.

Mateus Mane looked short of confidence and experience, while other attacking players also struggled to influence the game.

That can be part of adjusting to the physical demands of the Championship, but it also highlighted the lack of proven alternatives from the bench.

The defensive problems were just as concerning. The centre-backs looked as if they had not fully adapted to playing in a back four.

Toti, in particular, struggled with the positioning and decision-making required in that system.

He was often exposed when Blackburn attacked the wide areas, while Wolves lacked the calm and authority needed to manage those moments.

The goalkeeper position remains another concern for Wolves. Dan Bentley currently has the shirt, but he has struggled to provide the confidence an unsettled defence needs.

Jose Sa has the experience and shot-stopping ability to be valuable in the Championship, yet he remains on the bench.

Sa was animated and visibly involved throughout the game, showing how invested he remains in the team.

Whether Wolves decide to restore Sa, continue with Bentley, or look for an alternative, the situation needs to be resolved quickly.

The uncertainty is not helping a defence that already looks short of confidence.

These issues explain the frustration around the summer transfer window. The concern is not simply that more players are needed.

Wolves need the right players, particularly in central defence, midfield and the attacking options available from the bench.

There are still two weeks left for the Wolves hierarchy to put this squad right, but there is a lot of work to do.

Blackburn did not expose a crisis, but they showed that Wolves are not yet balanced or consistent enough to be considered clear promotion favourites.

Find more from Dazzling Dave at Always Wolves