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Wolverhampton Wanderers host Aston Villa at Molineux on Friday night, knowing time is running out in their battle for survival.
Wolves sit at the bottom of the Premier League, 17 points from safety, with just one win all season.
Seven matches ago, these two Midlands rivals were level on misery, both winless and in the bottom three. Now they are separated by 19 points.
The table suggests a gulf. The derby promises something different.
Match preview
New Wolves gaffer Rob Edwards is still searching for a spark. His side is winless in eight league matches. However, there have been flickers.
Wolves came from two down to draw with Arsenal at Molineux and were seconds away from taking a point at Crystal Palace before a late collapse.
The problem is painfully clear – goals. Wolves have scored just 18 in 28 matches, and no player has more than two league goals.
They have failed to score in 15 different games, more than any other side this season.
Edwards has demanded passion and intensity, urging his players to make it look like it matters.
Villa arrive third, chasing Champions League football, but wobbling. They have won just one of their last four league games and have needed late goals to rescue points.
If Wolves are to defy the odds, they must strike first. They have conceded the opening goal in 22 league matches this term, the highest tally in the division.
Match stats
Wolves have won four of their last six Premier League home games against Villa and are unbeaten in four at Molineux in this fixture.
Villa are seeking a first league double over Wolves since 2003/04. The Villains have scored three of their last four league goals after the 85th minute.
Wolves are winless in 17 league games against top-half sides.
Wolves team news
Ladislav Krejci is suspended following his red card at Crystal Palace.
Hwang Hee-chan, 30, remains sidelined with a calf injury, though he has returned to training.
The ‘commanding’ Toti Gomes is pushing to start after returning to the bench last weekend, while David Moller Wolfe is another defensive option.
Tolu Arokodare is expected to lead the line despite a frustrating afternoon in the capital, with Mateus Mane continuing in attack.
Wolves predicted XI (3-4-2-1)
Jose Sa; Yerson Mosquera, Santiago Bueno, Toti Gomes; Jackson Tchatchoua, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Andre, Hugo Bueno; Angel Gomes, Mateus Mane; Tolu Arokodare.