As Tottenham Hotspur prepare to host Wolverhampton Wanderers this Sunday, all eyes will be on one man – Wolves’ star forward Matheus Cunha. The brilliant Brazilian has been the driving force behind Wolves’ resurgence under new manager Vítor Pereira, scoring goals at a rate that defies expectation. And with Spurs’ defense decimated by injuries, Cunha will be licking his chops at the prospect of inflicting more misery on Ange Postecoglou’s side.
Cunha’s Goal Scoring Wizardry
What makes Matheus Cunha such a terrifying proposition for opponents is his uncanny ability to conjure goals out of thin air. The 25-year-old striker has netted 10 times in the Premier League this season, a tally that accounts for over a third of Wolves’ total goals. But it’s not just the volume of goals that impresses – it’s the sheer improbability of many of them.
Cunha is currently overperforming his expected goals (xG) by a whopping 6.02, the biggest gap between actual and expected output in the entire league. In layman’s terms, this means Cunha is scoring goals that, based on the quality of chances, he has no right to score. His goal against Manchester United in midweek – direct from a corner kick – was a perfect example of the Brazilian’s border-line supernatural finishing ability.
Cunha’s goal-scoring record may not be sustainable in the long run, but right now he’s in the zone, converting chances at an unbelievable rate.
– Ben McAleer, WhoScored
Tottenham’s Defensive Crisis
While Cunha’s form would strike fear into the most resolute of defenses, Tottenham’s backline is anything but at the moment. Injuries have ravaged Spurs’ defensive stocks, with Postecoglou already down to the bare bones. The loss of promising young center-back Radu Dragusin to injury against Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day leaves Tottenham with no fit senior central defenders.
Postecoglou has been forced to deploy midfielder Yves Bissouma alongside promising but raw teenager Archie Gray in the heart of defense. It’s a makeshift partnership that will have Cunha and co. drooling with anticipation. Spurs’ high defensive line and relentless intensity under Postecoglou could play right into Wolves’ hands, leaving acres of space for speed demons like Cunha to exploit on the break.
Even at full strength, Spurs would have struggled to contain one of the Premier League’s most unpredictable forwards. It could get ugly for Tottenham this weekend.
– Ben McAleer, WhoScored
Wolves’ Devastating Counter-Punch
Under the wily Vítor Pereira, Wolverhampton have become arguably the Premier League’s most lethal counter-attacking side. Only fellow surprise package Nottingham Forest have scored more goals on the break than Wolves’ tally of seven. With a speed merchant like Cunha leading the charge, Wolves are built to absorb pressure and then strike with devastating effect.
- Wolves have scored the 2nd most counterattack goals (7) in the Premier League
- Cunha ranks 5th for successful dribbles (38) and 11th for key passes (33)
Cunha’s ability to ghost past defenders is the catalyst for so many of Wolves’ lightning quick transitions. Even with limited possession, the Brazilian’s dribbling skill and vision allows Wolves to go from defense to attack in the blink of an eye. It’s a style of play that could prove kryptonite to Tottenham’s injury-stricken defense.
A Defining Clash
Sunday’s match-up feels like a defining moment in both clubs’ seasons. For Wolves, it’s a chance to continue their climb away from the relegation mire and establish themselves as a growing force under an astute manager. For Spurs, it’s an acid test of Postecoglou’s uncompromising philosophy in the face of an injury crisis that would hobble most teams.
But above all else, it feels like a stage for Matheus Cunha to once again demonstrate his game-changing brilliance. If Tottenham can’t find a way to muzzle Wolves’ goalscoring wizard, their own top-four hopes could vanish in a puff of smoke.
