Are there any Wolves players worth buying for Double Gameweek 26?

As you are well aware by now, Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers ‘doubled up’ in Gameweek 26.

We’ve devoted a lot of coverage to the Gunners, from an early look at their best options to whether the manager should be Captain Three Gabriel Magalhaes (£7.1 million).

Now, the question remains: is the Wolves player worthy of Fantasy attention?

WEEK 26 WOLVES GAME

There is no doubt that Nottingham Forest is the match that Wolves are most likely to enjoy in Double Match Week 26.

Even in Forest’s last six home games, they rank in the bottom six for expected goals conceded (xG) and, surprisingly for a Dyche-led side, expected goals conceded (xGC).

Throughout the season, Tricky Trees also finished in the bottom six for goals scored (13) and goals conceded (18) in home games.

However, they recently banned Arsenal from the City Ground.

Speaking of the Gunners, a look at the numbers above shows the task at hand when Arsenal travel to Molineux.

Arsenal have kept clean sheets in half of their 12 away games this season, conceding fewer goals (nine) than any other team.

THE WOLF’S OWN BASIC FIGURES

Although Wolves have lost their last three games, results and performances in 2026 have been slightly better under Edwards. They won two and drew three of their last eight matches in all competitions, scoring 12 goals and keeping two clean sheets.

Saturday’s formation change was a mistake, but the underlying numbers (see six-match chart below) are moving in the right direction:

They can also take some comfort from the fact that they pressured Arsenal all the way in the previous game, when they thought they had snatched a 1-1 draw in the 90s.^th minutes, just for Yerson Mosque (£4.3m) to score an own goal four minutes later.

However, everything is relative: the 16 goals scored is by far the lowest total in the division. No team has kept fewer clean sheets (two).

RISK OF ANY ROTATION?

The problem with this Double Match Week is that each match will end with an FA Cup fourth round tie against Grimsby.

• Saturday 7 February (15:00 GMT): Matchday 25 – Chelsea (h)
• Wednesday 11 February (19:30 GMT): *Double Match Week 26* – Nottingham Forest (a)
• Sunday 15 February (13:30 GMT): FA Cup fourth round – Grimsby (a)
• Wednesday 18 February (20:00 GMT): *Double Matchweek 26* – Arsenal (h)
• Sunday 22 February (14:00 GMT): Matchday 27 – Crystal Palace (a)

Normally it would be fair to assume that Edwards would rest his players for the trip to Grimsby in the FA Cup, but with relegation certain, could he decide to prioritize the trophy? An exciting FA Cup run is a welcome distraction from the league’s woes and reaching the fifth round will certainly be welcomed by supporters, who will expect nothing less from the game against Arsenal.

WHO ARE THE BEST WOLVES PLAYERS TO BUY FOR GAMEWEEK 26 – IF ANY?

MATHEUS MANE (£4.6m)

Mane has been one of the rare glimmers of light in a dismal season for Wolves.

The 18 year old scored back-to-back fantastic goals against West Ham and Everton in Matchweeks 20 and 21 and is the only player Wolves have who can make something out of nothing.

He’s started the last eight games and, lest we forget, it was he who provided the assist against Arsenal in the previous game in Matchday 16.

As a glorified central midfielder and not a striker, close-range shots are not his thing: 18 of his 23 attempts in the last eight gameweeks have been from outside the box. And what’s more, so were both of his goals – so he’s got a good view from distance. His shot also hit the post from distance in Gameweek 25.

Above: Forwards ranked by shots taken since Mane’s run in the starting XI began in Matchday 18

He has also taken corner kicks in the last three Gameweeks.

But really, that’s the price. For managers who favor a 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 formation, he’s an ideal third striker who can play this week and sit on the bench for the rest of the season (or as long as you have him).

THE REST

As a bona fide striker, Three Arokodares (£5.4m) has got a better chance – as a comparison with Mane over the last eight Matchweeks shows:

He has one of the worst shots-on-goal rates (6.7%) of any forward this season, and an extra £0.8m doesn’t make you a clinical hitman.

In midfield, João Gomes (£5.3m) is one of the top five midfielders for DefCon points (DC, below) this season. He could easily return 6-8 points this Gameweek, without even bothering the opponent’s box.

And behind, Yerson Mosque (£4.3m) has awarded DefCon points in five of its last nine matches. He came close to scoring on the next three occasions.

He is also the FPL defender who has taken the most shots over the last six Matchweeks (below)!

FINAL THOUGHTS

Nothing says Double Gameweek fever like considering players from the 20th ranked club.

In Mane, there are many reasons to choose him – especially if you are a player Igor Thiago (£7.0m) owner and didn’t like the Brentford striker against Arsenal. Thiago could only be on the bench for Mane this week, and return to your starting XI to take advantage of the Bees in Gameweek 27.

As for anyone else, is anyone really worth breaking down your team for, especially considering they’ll probably need a transfer after Double Gameweek? Not too.

If you are on Free Hit, or have the luxury of lots of free transfers, then Joao Gomes or Mosquera are possible considerations. Gomes has put up a minimum of five points in two consecutive starts since Gameweek 11. Mosquera has also been a threat for DefCon points and goals of late.

That said, there are the likes of Crystal Palace hosting Burnley this week – and you’d want many of the Eagles’ players to outperform Wolves’ assets even in Matchday 26, let alone the next game.