AliousWolves’ Season in Jeopardy After Matheus Cunha’s Costly Red Card*
The moment Matheus Cunha lost his composure against Bournemouth, Wolves fans sensed trouble. His reckless altercation with **Milos Kerkez led to a straight red card, contributing to Wolves’ eventual **penalty shootout loss** in the FA Cup fifth round.
This was not an isolated incident—the Brazilian had already shown poor judgment earlier in the season, earning a red card against Ipswich Town following an altercation with a security guard. That previous disciplinary issue resulted in a two-match suspension** and an £80,000 fine**, while his latest outburst could see his initial **three-game ban** extended further by the FA.
With crucial **Premier League matches** against **Everton, Southampton, and West Ham** on the horizon, Cunha’s absence could severely impact Wolves’ fight for survival. Not only are fans growing concerned, but **potential suitors** for the talented forward are also taking notice of his growing disciplinary record—including former Arsenal star **Paul Merson**, who fears this incident could **doom Wolves to relegation**.
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Paul Merson: Wolves’ Premier League Survival at Risk Without Cunha**
Much like Mohamed Salah for Liverpool or Erling Haaland for Manchester City, Cunha is Wolves’ **game-changer. His ability to turn a match with individual brilliance has been a defining factor this season.
His importance is reflected in the numbers—**17 goal involvements** in the league, meaning he has contributed to **47% of Wolves’ total goals** (37 overall). With such a heavy reliance on him, fans are left wondering **who will step up in his absence**.
Merson, writing for **Sportskeeda**, painted a bleak picture, predicting that **Wolves will lose their next four games and face relegation** due to Cunha’s suspension.
> “I can’t believe what I saw with Matheus Cunha. He’s just ruined Wolves’ chance of avoiding relegation,” Merson wrote.
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> “The games he’s going to miss now were all winnable fixtures. Cunha could have definitely made a difference, and I don’t see Wolves winning any of the next four games without him! His reckless decision has essentially **sent Wolves down**.”
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Are Wolves Doomed? Merson’s Prediction for Everton Clash**
While Merson’s doom-and-gloom forecast suggests Wolves will lose **all four upcoming matches**, that might be an overstatement—especially considering they face **Southampton and Ipswich**, two teams they could realistically take points from.
Still, his lack of faith in Wolves without Cunha is clear, as he has predicted a 2-1 defeat against Everton this weekend.
Beyond just Wolves’ relegation battle, Merson also issued a warning to top clubs considering signing Cunha in the future.
> “I’m backing Everton to win because Wolves are missing Cunha,” he wrote.
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> “All the big clubs that wanted to sign him will now be looking at his **disciplinary record before making a move. This isn’t the first time this season—it’s becoming a pattern.
“At a top club, the pressure is even higher, and you don’t see players losing their heads like that**.”
With Wolves walking a fine line between survival and disaster**, Cunha’s suspension could not have come at a worse time. The team must now prove they can cope without their talisman, or Merson’s grim prediction might become a reality.
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