Gary Lineker fearful as Micah Richards makes risky Wolves prediction

Gary Lineker and Micah Richards have put Wolverhampton Wanderers at the forefront of their Premier League relegation predictions.

Lineker, the legendary host of BBC’s Match of the Day for the past 25 years and Richards, a regular pundit on the show since 2020, both reckon Wolves have just enough to avoid the drop.

The duo, also colleagues on the hit podcast The Rest is Football, believe the presence of Matheus Cunha will help Wolves to safety. Wanderers’ talisman and top scorer with 13 Premier League goals so far this season, Cunha signed a new contract earlier this month and is determined to help his club remain in the English top flight.

Wolves suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat away at title favourites Liverpool on Sunday afternoon but there were real signs of promise in the second half. Wanderers became the first team since 2003 to deny Liverpool a single shot in the second half of a game at Anfield; an extraordinary achievement given how poor they’ve been defensively this season, as well as in the first half of that match.

Cunha was Wolves’ goalscorer as he skipped past Ryan Gravenberch and curled into the far bottom corner, beating Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson from 25 yards. It was a terrific finish from a player Lineker and Richards have been drooling over all campaign.

When analysing Wolves’ defeat at Liverpool on The Rest is Football, Lineker said: “Cunha’s good isn’t he? What a season he’s having for a team struggling as well, which I think is a really good sign of a player like that who can perform when things have perhaps been going against you. So much talent, so much ability.

“I used to really like him when he played at Atletico Madrid in Spain but this season he’s kind of backed up his ability in terms of goals. It was perhaps the one thing that - considering how talented he was - he didn’t quite have, the prolific numbers in Spain. He’s certainly improved and scored some fantastic goals this season, including today.”

Lineker and Richards assess Wolves survival chances

Richards couldn’t agree more with Lineker’s assessment of Cunha’s performance at Anfield and reckons the Brazilian will have enough of an input to keep Wolves up. It’s a risky prediction as the pundits often make bets for pride between them.

“Yeah, it was amazing,” Richards said of Cunha’s goal against Liverpool. “We’ve done him on Match of the Day at least two or three times - more than that - as he’s their best player.

“I think you’re exactly right, it was just that final bit wasn’t it? Can he finish off those chances? His all-round game was brilliant, his touch, technique, laying off the ball. And now what is that? His 13th league goal of the season? He’s getting those numbers in a team struggling.

“When you asked me if Wolves would be alright, two months ago I said on Match of the Day I think they’ll be alright just because they’ve got a quality striker like that. I know Ipswich have got Delap but when you’ve got Cunha in your side, you’ve always got a chance and I think that’ll be the difference.”

Lineker then responded: “I fear you might be right, I say as a Leicester fan. I expect it’ll be the three promoted clubs to go straight back down.”