Wolverhampton Wanderers

BBC Sport's football expert Chris Sutton has made his predictions for this week's FA Cup fifth-round ties. For all eight games, he is up against Kaiser Chiefs bassist and Leeds United fan Simon Rix.

Sutton's prediction: 0-1

Wolves were not too pretty against Sheffield United but they got the win anyway. Brighton, meanwhile, scored very late to stop me being right about Everton winning that game.

Both teams are in a situation in the league where you would hope they will go for it in the FA Cup, but I can see this game being quite cagey. I am backing Brighton, but it is going to be close.

Simon's prediction: 1-0

This is a very tough one to call. I haven't watched either of these teams very much this season, unsurprisingly, but I like the fact Wolves boss Gary O'Neil is sort of sticking it to Bournemouth for ditching him. I haven't gone for many home wins so far, so let's go for one here.

See the full list of predictions here

• Watch Wolves v Brighton live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website

• Find out how to watch all of the fifth-round ties here

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Wolves boss Gary O'Neil says their busy fixture list doesn't have to impact their performance on the pitch, despite the short turnaround.

After their victory over Sheffield United on Sunday, O'Neil's squad have an FA Cup fifth-round tie against Brighton at Molineux on Wednesday followed by a trip to Newcastle United less than 72 hours later on Saturday.

"The schedule isn't great for us," O'Neil said. "A game on Sunday when we had an FA Cup game on Wednesday wasn't ideal. It means Brighton get an extra day's recovery on us.

"Going into Saturday's game against Newcastle, they get an extra day of recovery on us and the group is a small squad.

"It will be tested this week. I'm going to need to be really switched on and I've already had good conversations with the medical staff about how to use everyone.

"In a short turnaround, a day makes a big difference. Playing Saturday-Tuesday compared to Sunday-Wednesday, the lads would feel an awful lot better by the time Wednesday comes if they are playing Saturday.

"It doesn't mean it has to make a big difference on the game. We've played games where we've had less recovery and looked like the team with the most energy."

Pablo Sarabia, who scored Wolves' winner on Sunday, says he's taking the rest of the season "game by game" as the club try to progress in the FA Cup and push for European football.

"We can't think about that. We just think about continuing as a team," Sarabia added.

"It's been a very good season for the team. The targets were different at the beginning of the season, and now it's true, and it's amazing for us as we can continue to enjoy where we are in the table now."

Just how did golf-loving, Tiger Woods-admiring Gary O'Neil become one of the Premier League's success stories in recent seasons? It's surprised even some of his former team-mates, who didn't see his move into management coming.

Stewart Downing, who played alongside the Wolves boss at Middlesbrough, joins The Football News Show to reveal what O'Neil was like as a player and how far he believes he can go in the game.

Watch the full episode of The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

Watch Wolves v Brighton in the FA Cup fifth round live on BBC iPlayer at 19:45 GMT on Wednesday

Wolverhampton Wanderers lie just a point off seventh spot in the Premier League with 12 games to play, and while manager Gary O'Neil and his players are tempering talk of European football, are the supporters dreaming?

The Times' Charlotte Duncker and Wolves fan Jason Guy tell The Football News Show that victories over Brighton and Newcastle United this week could give them a huge confidence boost for those European ambitions but pressure and expectation remains at a minimum.

Watch the full episode of The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

Image source, Getty Images

The draw for the quarter finals of the FA Cup will take place on Wednesday at 19:00 GMT, before Chelsea's tie with Leeds United, which kicks off at 19:30.

It will be live on ITV4 and you can also follow the draw on the BBC Sport website and app.

Former England goalkeeper David Seaman, a four-time FA Cup winner with Arsenal, will conduct the draw.

The ball numbers will be:

1. Blackburn Rovers or Newcastle United

2. Chelsea or Leeds United

3. Bournemouth or Leicester City

4. Liverpool or Southampton

5. Nottingham Forest or Manchester United

6. Wolverhampton Wanderers or Brighton & Hove Albion

7. Coventry City

8. Luton Town or Manchester City

Here are the key facts and figures before Wednesday's FA Cup fifth-round tie between Wolves and Brighton:

• This is just the second FA Cup meeting between Wolves and Brighton, with Wolves winning a third round tie 3-2 in 1978-79.

• Brighton have won their past three away games against Wolves in all competitions, having won just one of their previous 11 visits to Molineux before this (D7 L3).

• Wolves are looking to reach the FA Cup quarter-final for the third time this century, previously doing so in 2002-03 and 2018-19.

• Since promotion to the Premier League in 2017, Brighton are looking to reach the FA Cup quarter-final for the fourth time (2017-18, 2018-19 and 2022-23). They had only done so twice in their history before this (1982-83 and 1985-86).

• Brighton's Joao Pedro has scored six goals in his past three FA Cup games. He is the joint-top scorer in this season's competition with five (first round onwards), netting a hat-trick in the fourth round against Sheffield United.

Henry Brownsey
BBC Sport journalist

Wolves head coach Gary O'Neil has been speaking to the media before Wednesday nights FA Cup tie against Brighton.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Reacting to Sunday's victory against Sheffield United he described the first half as "very good" but in the second half "a lot of the lads had slight off spells with the ball, some strange decisions, and then it all got nervy".

• On positives from Sunday, he said fans and players "dug in" for the win, adding: "I did like the grit, the determination and the refusal to let something slip, we knew how big the result was going to be for us and Premier League games aren't easy to win."

• On Brighton, he described the coaching as "excellent" and that they were "unbelievably aggressive without the ball", referencing how he's watched their centre-backs pressing opposition goalkeepers.

• O'Neil said there are no fresh injury concerns. The only player missing is Matheus Cunha and he is "doing well" and "back on the grass".

• On the short turnaround between matches he said the game "would've been much better if it was on its own on a weekend, where you have the full weeks prep", stressing his squad will be tested in next two games with both Brighton and Saturday's opponents Newcastle having an extra day of recovery.

• Speaking about point deductions, O'Neil said: "It's a tricky situation for everybody, you don't actually know where you are in the league at any point, because there are so many possibilities."

• He stressed he hopes the table doesn't change due to deductions late in the season as it could completely change how teams approach games.

• On Everton's point deduction being reduced: "I'm pleased for Everton. Like I said when they got their 10-point deduction, you don't want to see teams losing points, you want the league to be done fairly and evenly and everybody be playing off zero."

Watch Wolves v Brighton live on the BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.

Matt Cooper
Fan writer

Wolves will have played a lot better in the past and come away with zero points.

Despite Sheffield United's best efforts, Wolves managed to scrap out a win at a nervy Molineux.

Fans were frustrated at constantly inviting pressure by playing out from the back in the latter stages of the game, which did nearly catch Wolves out a handful of times, but Gary O'Neil is right - Wolves will sometimes need to find other ways to win and I think fans need to have a tad more patience.

It is not just on Sunday where I have noticed it, but it is something I have been aware of for a while. As soon as Wolves regain possession, some fans want all-out attack and groan when sometimes the ball is played side-to-side. Now admittedly, Wolves lacked tempo against the Blades, but sometimes the ball has to go sideward to go forward. It can't always be swashbuckling football.

I am not going to suggest how fans should act, but have a bit of patience and get behind the team - they are going to need as much support as possible if they are to do something truly special.

Matt Cooper can be found at Talking Wolves, external

We asked you for your thoughts on whether Gary O'Neil could get snapped up by another team, with his recent success at Wolves putting him "in the shop window" according to Shay Given.

Here are some of your responses:

Dave: I think the big clubs no longer (since Lampard, I guess) take a punt on someone with only one full season of first team managerial experience and no trophies (unless we win the FA Cup). He himself knows he needs to build something that he can fall back on if and when the typical 'big club' sack him if he doesn’t deliver quickly.

Karl: Gary O’Neil needs to be given a pay rise and a new contract to stop anyone else going for him. He has done a sterling job since he's come to the club and the players are now liking him. The way he gets them going, long may it continue and stop the other clubs looking at him.

Casey: No. I can't see why one of the big six would be going for him yet and I can't see why he would leave Wolves for anyone else in the league.

Mike: Gary is doing an amazing job considering the financial problems at the club. He is getting the best out of the players, much better than expected. He is bound to attract attention from so-called 'bigger clubs'. I hope he stays and continues his great work.

Russell: Not a hope in hell that Gary would leave Wolves in the next 12 months, minimum. Wolves showed great faith in bringing him in after being let go by Bournemouth and having little Premier League experience. He seems an extremely loyal, down to earth guy, that's more likely to see out his contract than most managers. He knows he's got it good at Wolves.

The MOTD 2 team have heaped praise on Gary O'Neil given their recent form.

O'Neil has guided the team to 40 goals already, reaching the mark in 26 games, which is their fastest rate since winning promotion in 2018.

Worryingly for Wolves fans, Shay Given says O'Neil is "in the shop window".

Wolves fans, are you worried O'Neil could get snapped up by someone else? Tell us here

Watch MOTD2 here

We asked you for your thoughts on Sunday's Premier League match between Wolves and Sheffield United.

Here are some of your comments:

Wolves fans

Tim: I know a lot of fans are complaining about the performance, but we have struggled all season against teams who 'park the bus'. We did enough in the first half to win the game, and the result confirms we are fighting on two fronts - for European qualification and in the FA Cup.

Jase: A comfortable first half with lots of possession and a great goal, but better finishing by United could have dented that. Second half we were a shambles; lethargic and not running to create space. Sheffield were lucky not to take at least a point. Our changes came far too late. Hwang Hee-chan was off pace and Mario Lemina's legs were heavy.

Paul: Fortunate to pick up three points after a flat performance but up to eighth. Wolves remain under the radar, but Europe is now an outside possibility.

John: It’s been such a positive season but any criticisms I could have of the team came in that second half. Never woke up and were lucky to not be punished. Still, a win is a win, and I’d never have believed we’d have an outside chance of Europe at the start of the season!

Sheffield United fans

Peter: Terrible. Team-mates nearly fighting - get rid of them and get rid of Chris Wilder.

Andy: Thought we were great and I was disappointed not to at least get a draw. We just have to get our heads down and battle away.

Mike: Overall a better performance from the Blades but yet again a straightforward cross into our box wasn't dealt with and we conceded. We should have significantly strengthened the defence in January but missed the opportunity.

Green: Awful in the first half but created lots of chances in the second half. Not clinical enough - really need Ben Brereton-Diaz and Cameron Archer back.

Jason Mohammad introduces highlights and analysis from Sunday's Premier League match between Wolves and Sheffield United.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to BBC Radio 5 Live's match commentary in full on BBC Sounds:

Wolves v Sheffield United

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves boss Gary O'Neil speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "First half pretty good, second half lost our way a bit.

"Really similar to the away game at Sheffield United. Lost our way, really didn't like us at all second half so lots for me to make sure we get better at today off the back of that.

"The fans were excellent, you could see even when it was tough for us against a team that were struggling in the league and you see the fans were disappointed with that, but they stuck with the players, stuck with us and managed to help us get over the line - a big part of why we managed to get it done today.

"No champagne football really, nothing to put in the best practice folder but a win in the Premier League and it moves us up to eighth, three points in the Premier League is always tough so the boys did well to put another three on the board."

On why it dropped off in the second half: "It'd be a long explanation. Loads of errors, just really bad at finding solutions. Technical errors, players letting the ball run under their foot, misplacing passes and they created an uneasy atmosphere and we struggled when they gave us time on the ball to know what to do with it.

"Lots of stuff I need to fix, a lot of that on me, I said to the players in there a lot of that stuff, creating an uneasy atmosphere in the place is partly my fault and we need to make sure we improve that and get back to work.

"United are a direct team, long-throws all the time, real big threat from corners the way the lads stood up to that was excellent, kept going even when we made mistakes, when we turned the ball over there was no disappointment, a team that was together desperate to make up for it.

"There are loads of different ways you need to win Premier League games and today we had to dig in, scrap, we were below our best and managed to get three points which is very important for us."

• Pablo Sarabia's opener was Wolves' 40th goal in the Premier League this season - with today being their 26th league this is the quickest they've hit 40 goals in a top-flight campaign since 1971-72 (23rd game).

• Sheffield United have now conceded 66 goals after 26 matches played in the Premier League this season, the most any Premier League team has ever conceded at this stage and the most at this stage of a top-flight season since Ipswich Town in 1963/64 (74 after 26 matches). The Blades have also conceded 27 goals in the first half of Premier League matches this season, the most of any team in the competition.

• Wolves have now won as many Premier League matches (11) this season after 26 games played as they managed in the entirety of their last campaign. They’ve only reached 11 wins quicker in the Premier League in two previous seasons (2018-19 after 25 matches & 2021-22 after 23 matches). Their 40 goals scored is also nine more than they managed last term (31).

• Wolves are now up to eighth in the Premier League table following today's victory, their highest placing in the competition since May 21st 2022 (also eighth, after 37 games).

• Vinicius Souza won four of his five tackle attempts today for Sheffield United. It is the seventh different Premier League match in which he has won 4 or more tackles this season, the most of any player in the competition.

• Rayan Ait-Nouri provided his first Premier League assist of the season for Wolves’ opening goal, with what was his first big chance created of the campaign and the 17th different chance he has created this term. Ait-Nouri had gone 55 league matches without providing an assist for Wolves before today.

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport journalist

This victory was Wolves' first Premier League win at Molineux this year and lifts them to eighth.

It also means that Gary O’Neil’s men are handily placed to battle for a European spot although on this evidence a significant improvement will be needed to achieve that objective.

The hosts managed just two efforts on target against the bottom club and delivered an underwhelming display.

Aside from Pablo Sarabia's goal there were few moments of excitement for the home supporters as the Blades carved out the better opportunities.

However, winning when far from at your best is an important trait to have and with 12 matches of the top-flight season remaining, Wolves' 11 wins so far this term is as many as they managed in the entirety of last term, underlining their progress under O’Neil.

Image source, Getty Images

The result lifts Gary O'Neil's side up to eighth in the table and boosts their hopes of appearing in Europe next season.

It was far from a vintage display from Wolves, with Sarabia's header their only effort on target until a stoppage-time shot from Joao Gomes, in a contest that saw their determined opponents sit deep and attempt to counter with pace on the break.

And the manner of the Blades' performance, although not the outcome, will have pleased boss Chris Wilder, who saw his side carve out several good opportunities.

James McAtee had two of Sheffield United's best chances. However, the on-loan Manchester City midfielder saw a tame first-half effort easily saved by Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa and he fizzed a second-half shot just wide of the bottom right corner.

McAtee's left-wing cross also provided Rhian Brewster with an opportunity to level, but the forward, who had already blazed well wide earlier on from a good position, was unable to turn his effort past Portugal goalkeeper Sa.

However, Wilder would not have been pleased at the sight of two of his players - Vinicius Souza and Jack Robinson - squaring up and jostling each other during the first half.

It was a moment of embarrassment for the visitors, who remain eight points adrift of safety and appear to be seeing their slim survival prospects fade with each defeat.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from home?

Wolves fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Blades fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

Wolves are hosting Sheffield United in the Premier League and kick-off is less than an hour away.

For team news and all the build-up, head to our live coverage here.

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Gary O'Neil has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Sheffield United.

Here are the key lines from the Wolves boss:

• He said Sheffield United are "a really good challenge" because Blades manager Chris Wilder has changed his system several times, making it "difficult to know what to expect".

• Reflecting on bad memories of the reverse fixture, when Wanderers lost to a controversial stoppage-time penalty: "Not just bad memories of the VAR but the second-half performance. We lost some momentum and struggled to find our way back into the game. So it's the same messages - the importance of being clinical when we are on top and then not giving them anything soft."

• On striker Sasa Kalajdzic, who has suffered a third ACL injury in five years while on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt: "The loan was to help him get minutes, so to suffer another injury to his knee means I’m incredibly disappointed for him. He’s done it twice before and shown he can come back so we’re all behind him."

• Midfielder Joao Gomes, Wolves' match-winner at Tottenham last weekend, is working "really hard to improve on bits he needs tidying up on" and plays a big part in the attacking threat that Wolves will need when facing defensive teams.

• Speaking about talk of qualifying for Europe: "I haven't discussed it with anybody. I understand there will be some talk but it changes so quickly. I just try to win the next game and see how high we can finish, but of course we'd love to qualify, so let's see where we can get to."

• He said since the victory over West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup fourth round, he has " been forced" to do three fist pumps to the fans after a win. He added: "It will continue as long as the fans want me to do it and as long as the players keep pushing me to do it!"

• On the importance of a good home atmosphere, he said: "It’s been fantastic every time we’ve played a team that’s come at us, but if it’s not going to be like that then we need to create it ourselves and try to get the fans up for the game by getting a goal or being on the front foot."

Phil Cartwright
BBC Sport journalist

Barely a day goes by at the moment without a media outlet linking Pedro Neto with a summer move away from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

It is easy to see why, because the Portugal winger is in the form of his life.

The 23-year-old missed more than two months of action with a hamstring injury, yet is only one off the top of the list for the most assists in the Premier League this season.

No player has ever registered more for Wolves in a single Premier League campaign, while seven of his nine assists have set up either an equalising goal or one to give Wanderers the lead in a match.

The team under Gary O'Neil thrives against the best sides whose first intent is to attack, leaving gaps for Wolves' free-flowing attackers to exploit. The flip side is O'Neil's men have sometimes struggled to break down those with a more defensive mindset.

Their past three results are the perfect illustration; Chelsea and Tottenham were swept aside on their own pitches by almost perfect counter-attacking displays, but a defensively-stout Brentford proved much stickier opposition and left Molineux with a deserved three points.

Beating lower-ranked sides is an area where Wolves have historically struggled. In the five full seasons since they returned to the Premier League in 2018, they have lost 10 of the 30 games they have played against teams that went on to be relegated at the end of that campaign.

Five of Wolves' seven remaining home games are against teams currently in the Premier League's bottom half, starting with bottom club Sheffield United on Sunday.

Neto's pace, power and trickery will be key to unpicking what may be some fairly obdurate locks in the final third of the season.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Wolves goalkeeper Paul Bradshaw has died aged 67, the Premier League club has announced.

Bradshaw played 243 games for Wolves, including the 1980 League Cup final victory over Nottingham Forest at Wembley, which is the club's most recent major trophy success.

Ex-Wolves striker and Bradshaw's former team-mate John Richards said:, external "He was undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers in England at the time and, of course, his brilliant performance in the 1980 League Cup final helped us win the trophy.

"We know he'd been having some serious health issues, but his death is a sad loss to all his former colleagues, and we send our condolences to his family and friends."