Data has analysed the chances of Wolves finishing in a European spot at the end of the Premier League season, with the chance of a 14.5% boost still firmly on the cards.
If anyone had mentioned Wolves being contenders for a European spot before the start of the 2023/24 campaign, many would’ve laughed.
That is in fact the reality that the Old Gold find themselves in after 26 games played of the season, largely thanks to the work of Gary O’Neil.
The boss had a matter of days to organise his squad ahead of the start of the Premier League, making the successes this season so far a cause for celebration in itself.
Julen Lopetegui left his post due to his beliefs that the squad he had was not at the level capable of competing in the top flight after Wolves experienced a summer tainted by FFP constraints.
Time has proven the Spaniard incredibly wrong, with O’Neil’s side currently in 9th place and in with a shot of securing a place in a European competition next season.
The chances that Wolves have of a European finish according to data
In a report produced by The Athletic, the chances of Wolves finishing in the top seven have been calculated.
According to data, the Old Gold currently have a 13.4% chance of claiming one of the places in the top seven, a finish that would likely qualify them to play in Europe next term.
What is interesting is that depending on factors elsewhere, O’Neil’s side could have a 14.5% boost to make it to the Europa Conference League if UEFA hand England a fifth Champions League place.
Next season, the Champions League will expand to a 36-team format, which could see the team that finish in 5th in the Premier League this year qualify for the tournament, shifting the Europa League and Europa Conference League spots down.
It will all depend on the UEFA Association Club coefficient ranking, which will determine the outcome of who earns Europe in the Premier League, all outlined thoroughly by The Athletic.
The work that Gary O’Neil has done at Wolves is magnificent
Last season, Wolves ended the 2022/23 campaign as the league’s lowest scorers with just 31 goals in 38 games.
The lack of inspiration in the final third was not helped by a change in manager midway through the season, followed by considerable departures in the summer.
Tensions hit a high when Lopetegui exited, leaving O’Neil in a sympathetic position ahead of a season in which Wolves were considered to be potential candidates for relegation.
Squad shortages, little time to prepare and financial issues haven’t stopped the manager from succeeding at Molineux, with the race now firmly on for a European finish.