Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Stoke City preview

England flag 2026/2027 Championship, England
Molineux Stadium
Championship
Full Time
Round 3 Regular Season
Rodrigo Gomes - 19', 22'
Raúl Jiménez - 55' (P)
Jordan James - 84'
Goal
|

CONTEXT

Wolverhampton Wanderers hosted Stoke City in a match that concluded with a 4-1 victory for the home side. At halftime the score stood at 2-1. Wolverhampton Wanderers controlled 53 percent of possession while Stoke City held 47 percent. The home team recorded 2.44 expected goals against 0.7 for the visitors. The stronger rated side entering the fixture was Stoke City yet the winner was Wolverhampton Wanderers. No red cards were shown to either team. The outcome proved consistent with the expected goals data and the result aligned with pre match indicators. A significant performance deviation occurred for Wolverhampton Wanderers.

TL;DR

  • Structural deviation: Wolverhampton Wanderers recorded a significant deviation from pre match expectations.
  • Efficiency shift: Efficiency metrics remained in line with established patterns throughout the match.
  • xG alignment: The 4-1 result aligned with the underlying expected goals figures.
  • Market alignment: The final outcome proved aligned with available indicators.
  • xG expectations: Wolverhampton Wanderers posted 2.44 expected goals while Stoke City posted 0.7.
  • Event impact: No major events altered the flow beyond standard play.
  • Red card distortion: No red cards occurred to distort team structures or 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
T. Nield
T. Nield
Referee 25 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 30.32
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 4
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
R. Woodward
R. Woodward
1st Assistant 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
D. Williams
D. Williams
2nd Assistant 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
M. Russell
M. Russell
4th Official 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
2
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
0.62
2 i
Last 6 Opponents
Preston North End Rank: 69 W
Blackburn Rovers Rank: 74 D
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
0 i
Last 6 Opponents
Southampton Rank: 81 L
Swansea City Rank: 73 L
Bristol City Rank: 72 L
Portsmouth Rank: 73 L
Millwall Rank: 80 L
Wrexham Rank: 76 L
0
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
0 - 0 - 0
0

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power ranking is SportMonks' model-based team strength indicator. Historical input capped to 2 seasons.
51.3
68.07
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Stoke City
Power Score
51.3
68.07
League Position
5
21
Global Rank
76
326

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
Wolverhampton Wanderers Opponent-weighted form score
Stoke City Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) Wolverhampton Wanderers Stoke City

Heatmaps Ball coordinates

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

vs

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Left / Center / Right
Opposition half density
vs season average

Stoke City

Left / Center / Right
Opposition half density
vs season average
Possession Efficiency data not available for this match.

Set Pieces Efficiency Attack & Defence

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

Wolverhampton Wanderers
vs
Stoke City
Created Set-piece attacking threat
Wolverhampton Wanderers Stoke City
Set-piece xG Share Share of total expected goals generated from set pieces. Higher = more set-piece reliant in attack.
42%
5%
Goals per Match Average set-piece goals scored per match.
1.00 0.00
vs Expected (xG) Goals scored minus set-piece xG. Positive = overperforming; Negative = underperforming expectations.
-0.04 vs -0.03
Conceded Set-piece defensive exposure
Wolverhampton Wanderers Stoke City
Set-piece xGA Share Share of total expected goals conceded from set pieces. Higher = more exposed to set pieces defensively.
5%
42%
Conceded per Match Average set-piece goals conceded per match.
0.00 1.00
vs Expected (xGA) Goals conceded minus set-piece xGA. Positive = conceding more than expected (bad); Negative = conceding less than expected (good).
-0.03 vs -0.04
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Stoke City
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.

Wolverhampton Wanderers
vs
Stoke City
Attack After Winning Possession transition → offence
Wolverhampton Wanderers Stoke City
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
Defence After Losing Possession loss → defensive exposure
Wolverhampton Wanderers Stoke City
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
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Stoke City
Window = 15s post-possession change
Index = 0–1 composite score

PRESSURE INDEX

Momentum phases from smoothed minute-by-minute pressure.

  • WOL had peak pressure around 24'.
  • STK started the game with stronger pressure.
WOL Pressure STK Pressure
Pressure Index: WOL reached the top pressure at 24' (82.73).

STARTING XI

Match Formation 4-2-3-1
Match Formation 4-2-3-1

General Information

Date & Time
Competition
2026/2027 Championship, England · Round 3 · Regular Season
Stadium
Molineux Stadium
Capacity
32050
Pitch Surface
Grass
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Tom Nield
Richard Woodward
Darren Williams
Matthew Russell

Statistics

Possession
WOL
53%
STK
47%

Top Statistics

4 Goals 1
6 Big Chances Created 1
3 Shots 5
34 Dangerous attacks 38
53 Possession 47
7 Corners 1
14 Free kicks 13
1 Yellow Cards 4

Match Overview

69 Ball Safe 61
1 Penalties 0
7 Goal Kicks 6
11 Goal Attempts 5
5 Substitutions 4
22 Throwins 19
17 Dribble Attempts 22
7 Successful Dribbles 9
41 Successful Dribbles Percentage 41

Attacking

84 Attacks 81
2 Big Chances Missed 1

Possession

48 Long Passes 30
405 Passes 362
343 Successful Passes 310
85 Successful Passes Percentage 86
12 Key Passes 7
22 Successful Long Passes 11
46 Successful Long Passes Percentage 37

Defensive

2 Saves 4
21 Tackles 22
5 Interceptions 12
57 Duels Won 56

Build-up

15 Total Crosses 21
5 Accurate Crosses 4

Discipline

2 Offsides 3
13 Fouls 15

Lineup

Referee : Tom Nield

Starting XI

1
José Sá
José Sá Goalkeeper
6.35
3
Hugo Bueno
Hugo Bueno Defender
6.92
24
Toti
Toti Defender
6.82
34
Nasser Djiga
Nasser Djiga Defender
6.71
38
Jackson Tchatchoua
6.66
5
Marshall Munetsi
Marshall Munetsi Midfielder
7.62
20
Tommy Doyle
Tommy Doyle
Midfielder77'
6.9
7
André
André Midfielder
7
12
Boubacar Traoré
Boubacar Traoré
Midfielder73'
6.5
21
Rodrigo Gomes
Rodrigo Gomes Midfielder
2
6.94
8
Jordan James
Jordan James
Midfielder77'
28
Fer López
Fer López Midfielder
8.05
36
Mateus Mané
Mateus Mané Midfielder
6.87
23
Tawanda Chirewa
Tawanda Chirewa
Attacker83'
6.71
9
Raúl Jiménez
Raúl Jiménez Attacker
7.32
10
Adam Armstrong
Adam Armstrong
Attacker73'
6.75
Referee : Tom Nield

Starting XI

1
Viktor Johansson
Viktor Johansson Goalkeeper
6.23
2
Ben Johnson
Ben Johnson Defender
6.06
16
Ben Wilmot
Ben Wilmot Defender
6.49
17
Eric-Junior Bocat
7.09
18
Bosun Lawal
Bosun Lawal Defender
7
Sorba Thomas
Sorba Thomas Midfielder
6.85
8
Ethan Galbraith
Ethan Galbraith Midfielder
6.62
10
Jun-ho Bae
Jun-ho Bae Midfielder
6.79
42
Million Manhoef
Million Manhoef
Attacker62'
6.16
20
Sam Gallagher
Sam Gallagher Midfielder
6.75
58
Tyler Martin
Tyler Martin
Attacker85'
27
Djibril Soumaré
Djibril Soumaré Midfielder
6.54
19
Tomas Rigo
Tomas Rigo
Midfielder85'
6.31
15
George Hirst
George Hirst Attacker
6.38
9
Róbert Boženík
6.51

Events

2ND-HALF
90+3'
Event
Simulation / 5th Yellowcard
85'
Event
Tyler Martin Sam Gallagher
8th Substitution
85'
Event
Tomas Rigo Djibril Soumaré
9th Substitution
Event
Right foot shot / 4th Goal
84'
Event
Tawanda Chirewa Mateus Mané
7th Substitution
83'
Event
Tommy Doyle Marshall Munetsi
5th Substitution
77'
Event
Jordan James Rodrigo Gomes
6th Substitution
77'
74'
Event
Róbert Boženík George Hirst
4th Substitution
Event
Adam Armstrong Raúl Jiménez
2nd Substitution
73'
Event
Boubacar Traoré André
3rd Substitution
73'
62'
Event
Million Manhoef Jun-ho Bae
1st Substitution
Event
Right foot shot / 1st Penalty
55'
1ST-HALF
45'
Event
Foul / 4th Yellowcard
Event
Foul / 3rd Yellowcard
39'
31'
Event
Foul / 2nd Yellowcard
Event
Right foot shot / 3rd Goal
22'
Event
Right foot shot / 2nd Goal
19'
15'
Event
Foul / 1st Yellowcard
2'
Event
Right foot shot / 1st Goal

Match Commentary

90
Attempt Attempt
Tomas Rigo takes a right-footed shot but misses.
88
Attempt Attempt
Boubacar Traore attempts a header but misses the shot.
88
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
88
Attempt Attempt
Tawanda Chirewa's right-footed shot is blocked.
86
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
85
Update Update
Tomas Rigo is on, and El Hadji Soumare is off.
85
Update Update
Tyler Martin comes on for Sam Gallagher.
84
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Jordan James takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
84
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Jordan James scores to make it 4-1, assisted by Fernando López González.
83
Update Update
Tawanda Chirewa comes on for Mateus Mane.
82
Attempt Attempt
Hugo Bueno López takes a left-footed shot but misses.
81
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
80
Attempt Attempt
Eric Bocat takes a left-footed shot but misses.
77
Substitution Substitution
Thomas Glyn Doyle is substituted off for Marshall Munetsi.
77
Substitution Substitution
Jordan James is substituted for Rodrigo Martins Gomes.
75
Update Update
Offside.
74
Substitution Substitution
Substitution: Robert Bozenik comes on for George Hirst.
73
Update Update
Boubacar Traore is on, and Andre Trindade da Costa Neto is off.
73
Update Update
Adam Armstrong is on, and Raul Alonso Jimenez Rodriguez is off.
71
Attempt Attempt
Shot by Mateus Mane with his left foot is saved.
71
Attempt Attempt
Hugo Bueno López takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
69
Attempt Attempt
Fernando López González takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
69
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
67
Update Update
Offside.
65
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
64
Attempt Attempt
Mateus Mane takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
63
Update Update
Offside.
62
Update Update
On Million Manhoef, off Bae Jun-Ho.
58
Attempt Attempt
Sorba Thomas takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
55
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Raul Alonso Jimenez Rodriguez takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
55
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal in the penalty shootout! Raul Alonso Jimenez Rodriguez scores, making it 3-1.
54
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
51
Attempt Attempt
Raul Alonso Jimenez Rodriguez takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
51
Update Update
Offside.
45
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Sam Gallagher receives a yellow card.
43
Attempt Attempt
Shot by Bosun Lawal with a header, but it misses the target.
42
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
39
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card shown to Mateus Mane.
38
Attempt Attempt
Sorba Thomas takes a right-footed shot but misses.
38
Attempt Attempt
Sorba Thomas takes a right-footed shot but misses.
33
Attempt Attempt
Sam Gallagher takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
30
Attempt Attempt
Sam Gallagher takes a shot with his head, but it's saved.
23
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Rodrigo Martins Gomes scores with a right-footed shot.
23
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Rodrigo Martins Gomes scores, making it 2-1.
22
Attempt Attempt
Mateus Mane takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
19
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Rodrigo Martins Gomes scores with a right-footed shot.
19
Attempt Attempt
Raul Alonso Jimenez Rodriguez takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
19
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Rodrigo Martins Gomes scores, making it 1-1.
16
Attempt Attempt
Mateus Mane takes a right-footed shot but misses.
16
Attempt Attempt
Raul Alonso Jimenez Rodriguez takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
15
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Bae Jun-Ho receives a yellow card.
14
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
13
Attempt Attempt
Sorba Thomas takes a right-footed shot but misses.
13
Attempt Attempt
Sam Gallagher takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
9
Attempt Attempt
Marshall Munetsi takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
7
Attempt Attempt
Fernando López González takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
2
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Sam Gallagher takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
2
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Sam Gallagher scores to make it 0-1.
1
Update Update
Kick-off! The referee is Tom Nield.

CONCLUSION

Wolverhampton Wanderers secured a convincing 4-1 win over Stoke City after leading 2-1 at the interval. The home side generated the majority of expected goal value and converted opportunities efficiently across both halves. Stoke City struggled to create consistent threats despite entering as the stronger rated side. Possession remained relatively balanced yet the quality of chances favored the winners. The absence of dismissals allowed both teams to maintain full tactical setups until the final whistle. Overall the result reflected the expected goals differential and confirmed the performance deviation by Wolverhampton Wanderers. This outcome highlighted their ability to exceed initial projections while limiting the visitors to minimal output.