Brighton & Hove Albion vs Wolverhampton Wanderers Prediction, Preview and Stats

England flag 2025/2026 Premier League, England
The American Express Community Stadium Sat, 9 May - 2:00 PM
Premier League
Brighton & Hove Albion BHA
3 Winner 0
Wolverhampton Wanderers WOL
Full Time Sat, 9 May 2:00 PM
Round 36 Regular Season
Yankuba Minteh - 86'
Lewis Dunk - 5'
Jack Hinshelwood - 1'
Goal
|

CONTEXT

Brighton & Hove Albion delivered a dominant performance, securing a 3-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in a one-sided Premier League encounter. The Seagulls established control early, racing to a 2-0 halftime lead with clinical finishing against a Wolves side that struggled to create chances. Brighton's possession reached an impressive 72%, allowing them to dictate the tempo and probe relentlessly. In the second half, they added a third goal to seal the win, while Wolves managed only 28% of the ball and failed to seriously threaten. No red cards disrupted the flow, and Brighton's superiority as the stronger team shone through in every department. This result underscores their structural edge, with minimal deviation from expectations in a match defined by sustained pressure and efficiency.

TL;DR

  • Structural deviation: The match exhibited minimal structural deviation of 2.1% favoring Brighton & Hove Albion.
  • Efficiency shift: Team efficiencies remained in line with pre-match assessments.
  • xG alignment: xG alignment could not be determined due to unavailable data.
  • Market alignment: The final outcome fully aligned with pre-match market positioning.
  • xG expectations: xG expectations were unassessable without recorded metrics.
  • Event impact: No major events like second-half adjustments altered the game's trajectory.
  • Red card distortion: Absence of red cards meant zero distortion to match dynamics.
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

TeamxPts
Home1.8
Away1.2
ℹ️ Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality

Match referee

J. Brooks

England 25 matches in sample
Avg. cards 0.12
Fouls / match 0.52
Yellow cards / match 0.12
Red cards / match 0
Penalties / match 0

Other match officials

N. Aspinall

2nd Assistant

England

S. Bennett

1st Assistant

England

T. Bramall

4th Official

England

League averages

Premier League Based on last 100 matches

Fouls / match 19.78
Yellow cards / match 3.66
Red cards / match 0.12
Penalties / match 0.18
Brighton & Hove Albion F. Hürzeler
F. Hürzeler
VS
Wolverhampton Wanderers R. Edwards
R. Edwards
1.4
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
0.67
2.17 i
Last 6 Opponents
Newcastle United Rank: 88 L
Chelsea Rank: 89 W
Tottenham Hotspur Rank: 82 D
Burnley Rank: 77 W
Liverpool Rank: 92 W
Sunderland Rank: 81 W
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
0.83 i
Last 6 Opponents
Sunderland Rank: 81 D
Tottenham Hotspur Rank: 82 L
Leeds United Rank: 86 L
West Ham United Rank: 84 L
Brentford Rank: 88 D
Liverpool Rank: 92 W
10
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
10 - 12 - 5
5

Win Probabilities

Live Win Probability (90 Min)
Home Brighton & Hove Albion
97.86%
Draw
1.92%
Away Wolverhampton Wanderers
0.22%

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power ranking is SportMonks' model-based team strength indicator. Historical input capped to 2 seasons.
73.6
65.69
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
Brighton & Hove Albion
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Power Score
73.6
65.69
League Position
7
20
Global Rank
12
68

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

–
vs
Brighton & Hove Albion — Opponent-weighted form score
Wolverhampton Wanderers — Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) Brighton & Hove Albion Wolverhampton Wanderers

Heatmaps Ball coordinates

Attack and defence zones from ball position data. Filters: last 6 matches (overall/home/away), time period, competition.

–
vs

Brighton & Hove Albion

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Possession Efficiency Possession-Adjusted

How effectively each team uses and defends their share of possession. Efficiency adjusted based on team possession percentage

Brighton & Hove Albion ⚠ Proxy
vs
⚠ Proxy Wolverhampton Wanderers
Attacking Efficiency
Higher is better
Attacking Efficiency
21.88
20.54
Defensive Efficiency
Lower is better
Defensive Efficiency
20.54
21.88
Combined Efficiency Index Z-score combining attacking and defensive possession-adjusted efficiency.
Positive = above league average.
Negative = below league average.
Formula: EfficiencyIndex = z(AttackEff) − z(DefenceEff)
-3 0 3
Brighton & Hove Albion +0.15 Efficiency Index
vs
Wolverhampton Wanderers -0.15 Efficiency Index
xG data unavailable for both teams. Values estimated using shots and dangerous attacks (proxy). Confidence: Medium.
Brighton & Hove Albion
Wolverhampton Wanderers
AttackEff = xG ÷ pos
DefenceEff = xGA ÷ (1−pos)

Set Pieces Efficiency Attack & Defence

Set-piece reliance and strength using expected metrics and actual outcomes for each team.

Brighton & Hove Albion ⚠ Proxy
vs
⚠ Proxy Wolverhampton Wanderers
Created Set-piece attacking threat
Brighton & Hove Albion Wolverhampton Wanderers
Set-piece xG Share Share of total expected goals generated from set pieces. Higher = more set-piece reliant in attack.
—
—
Goals per Match Average set-piece goals scored per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xG) Goals scored minus set-piece xG. Positive = overperforming; Negative = underperforming expectations.
— vs —
Conceded Set-piece defensive exposure
Brighton & Hove Albion Wolverhampton Wanderers
Set-piece xGA Share Share of total expected goals conceded from set pieces. Higher = more exposed to set pieces defensively.
—
—
Conceded per Match Average set-piece goals conceded per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xGA) Goals conceded minus set-piece xGA. Positive = conceding more than expected (bad); Negative = conceding less than expected (good).
— vs —
xG set-piece data unavailable for both teams. Values estimated using proxy metrics (shots, dangerous attacks). Confidence: Medium.
Brighton & Hove Albion
Wolverhampton Wanderers
xG Share = set-piece xG ÷ total xG
vs Expected = goals − set-piece xG

Counter / Transition Attack & Defence

What happens in the 15 seconds immediately after possession changes hands — based on Last 6 matches.

–
Brighton & Hove Albion
vs
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Attack After Winning Possession transition → offence
Brighton & Hove Albion Wolverhampton Wanderers
Goals per Match Average goals scored within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Shots per Match Average shots taken within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Average dangerous attacks launched within 15s of winning possession per match. ↑ better
—
—
Transition Efficiency Index Composite score (0–1) of how efficiently this team attacks within 15s of winning the ball. Higher = more dangerous on transition. Higher = stronger on the counter
Brighton & Hove Albion 0.24
Wolverhampton Wanderers 0.33
Defence After Losing Possession loss → defensive exposure
Brighton & Hove Albion Wolverhampton Wanderers
Goals Conceded Average goals conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Shots Conceded Average shots conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Conceded Average dangerous attacks allowed within 15s of losing possession per match. ↓ better
—
—
Vulnerability Index Composite score (0–1) of how exposed this team is within 15s of losing the ball. Lower = better at preventing transition attacks. Lower = better transition defence
Brighton & Hove Albion 0.00
Wolverhampton Wanderers 0.05
Brighton & Hove Albion
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Window = 15s post-possession change
Index = 0–1 composite score

PRESSURE INDEX

Momentum phases from smoothed minute-by-minute pressure.

  • BHA had peak pressure around 82'.
  • BHA started the game with stronger pressure.
BHA Pressure WOL Pressure
⚡
Pressure Index: BHA reached the top pressure at 82' (98.44).

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

Summary of 27 matches between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.

Brighton & Hove Albion BHA Home
27 matches
Wolverhampton Wanderers WOL Away
Match Record
10
Wins
5
12
Draws
12
5
Losses
10
Goals
42
Goals Scored
25
25
Goals Conceded
42
+17
Goal Difference
-17

Data last updated: 2026-05-10T00:02:20+00:00

STARTING XI

Match Formation 4-2-3-1
Match Formation 3-4-2-1
Pitch
B. Verbruggen
Netherlands
1 B. Verbruggen
F. Kadıoğlu
Türkiye
24 F. Kadıoğlu
J. van Hecke
Netherlands
6 J. van Hecke
L. Dunk
England
5 L. Dunk
M. De Cuyper
Substitution
Belgium
29 M. De Cuyper
C. Noom Quomah
Substitution
Cameroon
17 C. Noom Quomah
P. Groß
Germany
30 P. Groß
Y. Minteh
Gambia
11 Y. Minteh
J. Hinshelwood
Substitution
England
13 J. Hinshelwood
K. Mitoma
Substitution
Japan
22 K. Mitoma
D. Tackie Mensah Welbeck
Substitution
England
18 D. Tackie Mensah Welbeck
Pitch
D. Bentley
England
25 D. Bentley
T. Gomes
Portugal
24 T. Gomes
S. Bueno Sciutto
Uruguay
4 S. Bueno Sciutto
Y. Mosquera
Colombia
15 Y. Mosquera
H. Bueno
Substitution
Spain
3 H. Bueno
A. Trindade da Costa Neto
Brazil
7 A. Trindade da Costa Neto
Gomes
Substitution
Brazil
8 Gomes
P. Cardoso de Lima
Substitution
Brazil
17 P. Cardoso de Lima
M. Mané
Substitution
England
36 M. Mané
A. Armstrong
England
9 A. Armstrong
H. Hwang
Substitution
South Korea
11 H. Hwang

General Information

Date & Time :
May 09, 2026, 02:00 PM
Competition :
2025/2026 Premier League, England · Round 36 · Regular Season
Stadium :
The American Express Community Stadium
Capacity :
31876
Attendance :
31587
Pitch Surface :
Grass
Weather :
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees :
John Brooks
Natalie Aspinall
Simon Bennett
Thomas Bramall

Statistics

Possession
BHA
68%
WOL
32%

Top Statistics

3 Goals 0
4 Big Chances Created 1
13 Shots 5
55 Dangerous attacks 15
72 Possession 28
7 Corners 1
15 Free kicks 10
1 Yellow Cards 2

Match Overview

13 Successful Headers 7
2 Assists 0
24 Throwins 13
91 Ball Safe 61
7 Goal Kicks 10
8 Successful Dribbles 9
17 Dribble Attempts 14
47 Successful Dribbles Percentage 64
8 Goal Attempts 2
0 Hit Woodwork 1
5 Substitutions 5
2 Injuries 0

Attacking

107 Attacks 32
1 Big Chances Missed 1

Possession

9 Key Passes 5
33 Successful Long Passes 12
59 Successful Long Passes Percentage 24
56 Long Passes 50
481 Successful Passes 140
87 Successful Passes Percentage 67
551 Passes 210

Defensive

15 Tackles 17
47 Duels Won 42
9 Interceptions 11
1 Saves 3

Build-up

8 Accurate Crosses 3
25 Total Crosses 6

Discipline

9 Fouls 11
1 Offsides 3

Lineup

Referee : John Brooks

Starting XI ▼

1
Bart Verbruggen
Bart Verbruggen Goalkeeper
5
Lewis Dunk
Lewis Dunk Defender
6
Jan Paul van Hecke
Jan Paul van Hecke Defender
24
Ferdi Kadıoğlu
Ferdi Kadıoğlu Defender
29
Maxim De Cuyper
Maxim De Cuyper Defender
7
Solly March
Solly March
Midfielder88'
11
Yankuba Minteh
Yankuba Minteh Midfielder
13
Jack Hinshelwood
Jack Hinshelwood Midfielder
19
Charalampos Kostoulas
Charalampos Kostoulas
Attacker88'
17
Carlos Baleba
Carlos Baleba Midfielder
26
Yasin Ayari
Yasin Ayari
Midfielder76'
22
Kaoru Mitoma
Kaoru Mitoma Midfielder
34
Joël Veltman
Joël Veltman
Defender58'
30
Pascal Groß
Pascal Groß Midfielder
18
Danny Welbeck
Danny Welbeck Attacker
10
Georginio Rutter
Georginio Rutter
Attacker76'
Referee : John Brooks

Starting XI ▼

25
Daniel Bentley
Daniel Bentley Goalkeeper
4
Santiago Bueno
Santiago Bueno Defender
15
Yerson Mosquera
Yerson Mosquera Defender
24
Toti
Toti Defender
3
Hugo Bueno
Hugo Bueno Midfielder
6
David Møller Wolfe
David Møller Wolfe
Defender46'
7
André
André Midfielder
8
João Gomes
João Gomes Midfielder
14
Tolu Arokodare
Tolu Arokodare
Attacker89'
17
Pedro Lima
Pedro Lima Midfielder
21
Rodrigo Gomes
Rodrigo Gomes
Defender67'
9
Adam Armstrong
Adam Armstrong Attacker
11
Hee-chan Hwang
Hee-chan Hwang Attacker
47
Angel Gomes
Angel Gomes
Midfielder89'
36
Mateus Mané
Mateus Mané Attacker
27
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde
Midfielder67'

Events

2ND-HALF
89'
Event
Tolu Arokodare → João Gomes
9th Substitution
89'
Event
Angel Gomes → Hee-chan Hwang
10th Substitution
Event
Charalampos Kostoulas → Jack Hinshelwood
7th Substitution
88'
Event
Solly March → Maxim De Cuyper
8th Substitution
88'
Event
Yankuba Minteh
Left foot shot / 3rd Goal
86'
Event
Georginio Rutter → Danny Welbeck
6th Substitution
76'
Event
Yasin Ayari → Carlos Baleba
5th Substitution
76'
68'
Event
André
Foul / 3rd Yellowcard
67'
Event
Rodrigo Gomes → Pedro Lima
4th Substitution
67'
Event
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde → Mateus Mané
3rd Substitution
Event
Joël Veltman → Kaoru Mitoma
2nd Substitution
58'
49'
Event
Hee-chan Hwang
Foul / 2nd Yellowcard
46'
Event
David Møller Wolfe → Hugo Bueno
1st Substitution
1ST-HALF
Event
Kaoru Mitoma
Foul / 1st Yellowcard
24'
Event
Lewis Dunk
Header / 2nd Goal
5'
Event
Jack Hinshelwood
Header / 1st Goal
1'

Match Commentary

62
Update Update
There is a delay in the match due to an injury to Yankuba Minteh from Brighton and Hove Albion.
60
Update Update
Foul committed by Carlos Baleba of Brighton and Hove Albion.
60
Update Update
Dan Bentley of Wolverhampton Wanderers won a free kick in defense.
59
Corner Corner
Brighton and Hove Albion win a corner after David Møller Wolfe concedes.
58
Substitution Substitution
Substitution for Brighton and Hove Albion: Joël Veltman replaces Kaoru Mitoma due to injury.
56
Update Update
There is a delay in the match due to an injury to Kaoru Mitoma from Brighton and Hove Albion.
55
Update Update
Hwang Hee-Chan of Wolverhampton Wanderers is called offside.
54
Update Update
Hwang Hee-Chan of Wolverhampton Wanderers is flagged for offside.
54
Attempt Attempt
Carlos Baleba from Brighton and Hove Albion had a missed chance, shooting with his right foot from outside the box, but the shot went to the left.
53
Corner Corner
Hwang Hee-Chan of Wolverhampton Wanderers missed a header from the center of the box, shooting to the left. The assist came from André, who delivered a cross after a corner.
53
Corner Corner
Yerson Mosquera of Wolverhampton Wanderers hits the bar with a header from close range, assisted by Mateus Mané's cross following a corner.
52
Corner Corner
Wolverhampton Wanderers win a corner after Ferdi Kadioglu concedes.
49
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Hwang Hee-Chan of Wolverhampton Wanderers receives a yellow card for a foul.
49
Update Update
Foul committed by Hwang Hee-Chan of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
49
Update Update
Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton and Hove Albion won a free kick on the left wing.
48
Corner Corner
New attacking attempt. Danny Welbeck of Brighton and Hove Albion heads the ball from inside the six-yard box, but Dan Bentley of Wolverhampton Wanderers saves it in the left corner. The assist comes from Pascal Groß's cross.
46
Attempt Attempt
Kaoru Mitoma's right-footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Yankuba Minteh provided the assist.
45
Update Update
The second half starts with the match at 2-0 in favor of Brighton and Hove Albion.
45
Substitution Substitution
Substitution for Wolverhampton Wanderers: David Møller Wolfe replaces Hugo Bueno.
45
Update Update
The fourth official has indicated there will be 1 minute of added time.
45
Update Update
The first half ends with Brighton and Hove Albion leading Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0.
42
Update Update
Foul committed by Ferdi Kadioglu of Brighton and Hove Albion.
42
Update Update
Mateus Mané from Wolverhampton Wanderers won a free kick on the left wing.
40
Attempt Attempt
Lewis Dunk from Brighton and Hove Albion had a missed chance, heading the ball from the center of the box just to the left. The assist came from Maxim De Cuyper's cross.
39
Update Update
Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton and Hove Albion won a free kick on the left wing.
39
Update Update
Foul committed by Pedro Lima for Wolverhampton Wanderers.
36
Corner Corner
Lewis Dunk had a missed chance for Brighton and Hove Albion, heading the ball from the center of the box but missing to the left after a corner.
35
Corner Corner
Brighton and Hove Albion win a corner after Hugo Bueno concedes.
34
Update Update
João Gomes fouled a player from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
34
Update Update
Danny Welbeck from Brighton and Hove Albion won a free kick in an attacking position.
33
Attempt Attempt
Kaoru Mitoma's right-footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
25
Update Update
Hugo Bueno of Wolverhampton Wanderers is flagged for offside.
24
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton and Hove Albion receives a yellow card for a foul.
24
Update Update
Foul committed by Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton and Hove Albion.
24
Update Update
João Gomes from Wolverhampton Wanderers won a free kick in defense.
22
Update Update
Foul committed by Adam Armstrong of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
22
Update Update
Jan Paul van Hecke of Brighton and Hove Albion won a free kick in defense.
21
Update Update
Dan Bentley of Wolverhampton Wanderers won a free kick in defense.
21
Update Update
Foul committed by Danny Welbeck for Brighton and Hove Albion.
21
Corner Corner
Brighton and Hove Albion win a corner after Dan Bentley concedes.
20
Corner Corner
New attacking attempt. Danny Welbeck of Brighton and Hove Albion heads the ball from inside the six-yard box, but Dan Bentley of Wolverhampton Wanderers saves it in the top left corner. The assist came from Yankuba Minteh's cross.
16
Update Update
André fouled a player from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
16
Update Update
Carlos Baleba from Brighton and Hove Albion won a free kick in defense.
14
Attempt Attempt
Kaoru Mitoma from Brighton and Hove Albion had a missed chance, shooting with his left foot from inside the six-yard box. The shot went close to the left side but missed. Maxim De Cuyper provided the assist.
9
Update Update
Foul committed by Danny Welbeck of Brighton and Hove Albion.
9
Update Update
João Gomes from Wolverhampton Wanderers won a free kick in defense.
5
Corner Corner
Brighton and Hove Albion win a corner after Santiago Bueno concedes.
5
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Brighton and Hove Albion lead 2-0 against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Lewis Dunk scores with a header from inside the six-yard box, placing it into the top center of the goal. The assist comes from Maxim De Cuyper, who delivered a cross following a corner.
3
Update Update
Foul committed by Hwang Hee-Chan of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
3
Update Update
Maxim De Cuyper from Brighton and Hove Albion won a free kick in defense.
1
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Brighton and Hove Albion lead 1-0 against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Jack Hinshelwood scores with a header from the center of the box into the top right corner, assisted by Maxim De Cuyper's cross.

CONCLUSION

Brighton & Hove Albion's 3-0 triumph over Wolverhampton Wanderers was a textbook display of superiority, blending high possession, sharp finishing, and defensive solidity. Leading 2-0 at halftime, they methodically extended their advantage without facing meaningful resistance. This performance reinforces Brighton's credentials as a top-tier contender, efficiently converting dominance into points. Wolves' inability to gain traction highlights ongoing challenges, as their low possession and lack of threat exposed vulnerabilities. With no disruptions from red cards or structural surprises, the result perfectly mirrored the stronger team's capabilities, setting a positive tone for Brighton's campaign ahead.

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Wolverhampton Wanderers preview with tactical analysis, xG context, lineup signals, and data-backed betting insights for faster decisions.

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