Manchester United vs Wolves predictions and betting tips – Red Devils strong favourites

Manchester United were not entirely convincing against Newcastle United on Boxing Day, but they held on for a 1-0 victory. Ruben Amorim will hope for a more comfortable 90 minutes in this one.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are rock-bottom of the Premier League and surely doomed to relegation. Is this a foregone conclusion?

• Manchester United to win and both teams to score – 9/5 with Spreadex
• Manchester United to win the first half – 8/11 with BetMGM
• Matheus Cunha to score any time – 19/20 with Betfred

Manchester United vs Wolves odds

Find the latest Manchester United vs Wolves betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

Manchester United vs Wolves predictions

Manchester United were involved in a game of two halves on Boxing Day. They were the better team in the opening period against Newcastle United and duly held the lead at the break thanks to a wonderful Patrick Dorgu strike.

Newcastle were dominant after the interval, though, and in the end Ruben Amorim’s side were hanging on for dear life.

A few questionable substitutions from the United manager arguably did more to hinder his team than help them, but Newcastle were unable to find an equaliser despite controlling possession.

It was a patchy performance from United overall, although they will point to some key absentees as a mitigating factor.

Amorim was without Bruno Fernandes, Amad Diallo, Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire and Bryan Mbeumo for the visit of Newcastle, five players who would arguably be in his first-choice XI. Mason Mount was then forced off at half-time.

In the circumstances, then, a 1-0 victory over a potential rival for a top-four finish was a good result for United, although an improved display will be the aim here.

“The feeling is good,” Amorim said on Friday. “If you compared to other games, we suffered so much more today but in certain moments we put everything on the line.”

We will reach the midway point of the Premier League season after the upcoming round of games, which has been split either side of New Year’s Eve.

United head into gameweek 19 just three points adrift of the top four. There have been obvious improvements from last term, particularly in attack.

United fans are also pleased that Amorim has shown a degree of tactical flexibility of late, moving from a fixed 3-4-3 formation to something more flexible – including a back four form the start against Newcastle.

Issues persist, however. United have not been at all convincing defensively. The clean sheet they kept against Newcastle was only their second of the season. United rank mid-table for expected goals against, a measure of the quality of chances a team concedes.

With Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa starting to pull clear of the chasing pack, there might only be one guaranteed Champions League qualification spot for the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea, United and Tottenham Hotspur to fight over.

United are hardly unique among that grouping in their inconsistent nature, but it is nevertheless something Amorim needs to address sooner rather than later.

Manchester United vs Wolves betting tips

Manchester United will expect to beat Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday.

Manchester United to triumph

Wolverhampton Wanderers produced a battling display in a 2-1 defeat by Liverpool last time out. 

Rob Edwards’s charges have shown signs of life in recent weeks, but with a 16-point deficit to 17th, Wolves have already given themselves too much to do.

Wolves have given both Liverpool and Arsenal a scare away from home lately, though, so Manchester United will not have everything their own way – especially with those significant  absentees.

A second consecutive clean sheet will elude Amorim’s men, but United should collect maximum points in front of their own fans to end 2025 on a high.

Back Manchester United to win and both teams to score at 9/5 with Spreadex

Wolves behind at break

Manchester United took the lead against Newcastle United on Boxing Day, the 12th time they have done so this season. 

Only Manchester City have broken the deadlock more often than Amorim’s team in 2025/26.

Unsurprisingly given their position at the foot of the table, Wolves have conceded the first goal on a league-high 15 occasions.

They also have the worst first-half record in the division, with United third in that particular ranking. 

The hosts are likely to hold an advantage when the referee’s whistle announces half-time.

Tip Manchester United to win the first half at 8/11 with BetMGM

Cunha to make mark

With Mbeumo and Fernandes out, Manchester United will be without their two highest scorers on Tuesday.

Mason Mount, who is joint-fourth on that list, may also miss out after coming off against Newcastle United.

Mount and Matheus Cunha have each scored three times in all competitions, and Amorim will want to see more output from the Brazil international going forward.

Cunha will not be short of motivation against his former club. United need him to step up in this one, and we reckon he will answer his team’s call by scoring his fourth goal of the campaign on the penultimate day of 2025.

Select Matheus Cunha to score any time at 19/20 with Betfred

Manchester United vs Wolves predicted lineups

• Manchester United expected lineup: Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Ugarte; Dorgu, Zirkzee Cunha; Sesko.
• Wolves expected lineup: Sa; Mosquera, S. Bueno, Krejci; Doherty, Andre, J. Gomes, Moller Wolfe; Mane, Strand Larsen, Hwang.

Where to watch Manchester United vs Wolves

• Location: Old Trafford, Manchester, England.
• Date and time: Tuesday 30th December, 8.15pm.
• How to watch: Sky Sports Football.

More Premier League predictions

We have plenty more Premier League predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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