Two teams who are usually tough, even for the top teams to beat will kick off this week's premier league action this Friday. The Molineux Stadium is the stage for this highly-anticipated encounter as Wolverhampton Wanderers host Crystal Palace. Which side gets all three points at the end of this one?

As we've mentioned earlier, both teams have proved to be bogey teams for the top sides given their defensive styles. This is part of the main reason why their games are usually low-scoring with four of the last five games ending in under 2.5 goals. However, in all 22 encounters between them, Wolves just edge their opponents with nine wins compared to the Eagles' eight. Wolves were victorious in the most recent meeting between these two sides via a 2-0 win. Will they manage to replicate a similar performance?

The Wolves howl across England

Nuno and his troops have managed to fight through a rough patch at the start of the season. Although they started off brightly, they were soon hit by three consecutive losses. However, they've managed to go on a three-game unbeaten streak, with two wins and one draw. As a result, copping seven points from a possible nine has catapulted them up to 9th with 10 points on the board.

In their most recent game, Wolves, uncharacteristically, failed to see the three points at home to Newcastle. With 10 minutes of play gone, Jimenez broke the deadlock with his second goal in as many games. From then, pundits were convinced that they had sealed the three points given their defensive solidity. However, Patricio failed to keep out a Jacob Murphy freekick in the 90th minute as the English midfielder earned a point for his side.

The Eagles record first win in three games

Crystal Palace started the season with two wonderful results in their opening couple of games, the most notable being the 3-1 win at Old Trafford. However, since beating the Mancunians, they have fallen off the hurdle, with no wins in their next three games. Hodgson and his boys finally gave the Palace faithful some reasons to cheer in their most recent game as they got the better of newly-promoted Fulham. Jairo Riedewald gave Palace the lead as early as the 8th minute while Zaha doubled with 63 minutes of play gone. Cairney's long-ranger in the dying minutes meant nothing as the Eagles soared to their first victory in four games.

Wolves vs Crystal Palace Team News

Riedewald picked up a knock and is therefore rated doubtful for this game. Wickham and Hennessey are still sidelined via long-term injuries

Jonny is the only injury casualty for the home side as the Spanish wing-back is still struggling with a knee problem.

Wolves possible starting XI:

Patricio; Boly, Coady, Kilman; Semedo, Dedoncker, Neves, Saiss; Neto, Podence, Jimenez

Crystal Palace possible starting XI:

Guaita; Clyne, Dann, Kouyate, van Aanholt; Townsend, Milivojevic, McCarthy, Schlupp; Zaha, Batshuayi

Wolves vs Crystal Palace Prediction: 1-0

Both sides head into this game keen on keeping their place at the top half of the table. We don't expect to see lots of goals in this game given the set up of both sides. However, we believe Wolves are well-worth backing for this one as they look like the team more on their toes.