Wolves defender Matt Doherty has credited Vitor Pereira's man-management skills for their fine end to the season, as they prepare to welcome Brighton to Molineux on Saturday.

Wolves won six successive games before travelling to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City last week, pulling away from the relegation zone and climbing to 13th in the table.

They were beaten 1-0 by Pep Guardiola's side, with Kevin De Bruyne scoring the only goal of the game, though Rayan Ait-Nouri and Matheus Cunha both struck the woodwork as Pereira's team gave a good account of themselves.

Speaking to the club's media channels, Doherty recalled: "We had the initial bounce off Vitor when he came in, but then we did lose four games in a row, then we lost the Liverpool and the Fulham games.

"So we did lose a few games in a row still, but he's just kept the belief there which really kept us going.

"Different managers bring different things, and he kept our heads up, we didn't let them drop at all and we managed to turn it around.

"We've obviously been able to turn it around in an unbelievable way over the last six or seven games, so we can be proud of what we've done during the second half of season."

Brighton, meanwhile, remain locked in a battle to finish eighth, which would likely mean Europa Conference League qualification, alongside Bournemouth, Brentford and Fulham.

They drew 1-1 with Newcastle United last time out, with goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen making four saves.

Coach Fabian Hurzeler recently said Verbruggen could become one of the best goalkeepers in the world, but the Netherlands international is keeping his feet on the ground.

"I don't really watch the news, but it's nice to hear of course, I really appreciate the trust he puts in me," Verbruggen said after Sunday's match.

"I think I've learned already a lot from him in this season in general, but I know my potential, I know my quality.

"I also know that I'm far away from what I can be, so I just have to keep my head down and work hard and just try to become the best version of me and where that ends, we'll see."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Wolves – Rayan Ait-Nouri

Ait-Nouri has been directly involved in more goals than any other defender in the Premier League this season (11 – four goals, seven assists). 

He is the only Wolves defender to have been involved in 10 or more goals in a single campaign in the competition, and he will be determined to go one better after hitting the woodwork at the Etihad last week.

Brighton – Danny Welbeck

Joao Pedro is Brighton's top scorer in the Premier League this season with 10 goals, closely followed by Welbeck and Kaoru Mitoma on nine apiece.

Only in 1980-81 (Mick Robinson and Gordon Smith) and 1981-82 (Andy Ritchie and Robinson) have they had two players reach double figures in a top-flight campaign.

With Joao Pedro still suspended for this one, Welbeck – who has five Premier League goals versus Wolves – could have the responsibility of leading the line.

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

Brighton are unbeaten in their last six Premier League games against Wolves (W4 D2), scoring 18 goals during this run.

And having lost just one of their 11 home league games against Brighton between 1991 and 2021 (W3 D7), Wolves have now lost each of their last three against the Seagulls at Molineux.

However, Pereira's men have won each of their last three Premier League home games, as many as in their previous 15 beforehand (D2 L10). They last won four in a row at Molineux in May 2023.

They have scored 51 goals in the Premier League this season, their joint-most in a single campaign along with 2019-20. They last scored more in the top flight back in 1979-80 (58).

In what should be a competitive game, entertainment could be on the cards. Wolves (62 goals conceded from 439 shots faced) and Brighton (56/395) have conceded from a higher share of their shots faced than any other teams in the Premier League this season (14%).

Additionally, no team has had more different goalscorers in the Premier League this season than Brighton (excluding own goals), with their 16 unique scorers their most in any campaign.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Wolves – 34.2%

Brighton – 39%

Draw – 26.8%