Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has insisted his team are better equipped to tackle Black Country rivals West Brom than they were last season.The teams met five times in total last term - in the Championship, FA Cup and play-offs - with Tony Mowbray's Baggies emerging victorious on four occasions.
Albion have also started the new campaign better than Wolves, with an unbeaten five-match run, including four wins, lifting them to second in the table behind Watford going into the weekend.
McCarthy's side have also begun well to stand fifth and have not lost in three since a 3-0 humbling at Ipswich last month.
It all left the Wanderers boss in confident mood ahead of Sunday's derby clash at The Hawthorns.
"I would like to think we're better than we were in May (in the play-offs) and I'm not particularly interested in them," McCarthy said.
"If they can get the ball and pass it they are a very good team - I saw that when I watched them at Coventry recently.
"But I would think Tony is saying very similar things about us and I would expect it to be another good football game. You don't see too many ferocious derby games now."
Whatever the level of self-control on the pitch, McCarthy is expecting a passionate day at the home of Wolves' bitterest rivals.
"Wolves-West Brom comes well down the list for bigger clubs elsewhere in the country, but for those of us round here it's our biggest game," he said.
"The games last season were passionate but they were good football matches. Nothing bitter spilled on to the pitch - they were just good and competitive."
Mowbray reiterated the call for calm heads, insisting that the focus must be on continuing the Baggies' surge up the table, rather than the battle for local bragging rights.
"I'm sure the fans will look at the bigger picture as well and for me it is all about the points," he said.
"If we take three points, it keeps Wolves away from us a bit and maintains our position in the table.
"It might just also allow us to close the points gap on Watford.
"We've just got to keep pushing on and striving to win football matches."
Mowbray will be without veteran striker Kevin Phillips (knee), while James Morrison and Martin Albrechtsen are also sidelined.
Striker Freddy Eastwood is a doubt for Wolves after injuring a knee on international duty with Wales.
Stephen Elliott could return after a hamstring injury having impressed in
a midweek practice match with Aston Villa, while a late decision will be made on Andy Keogh, who is recovering from minor surgery to repair a hernia.
More Football News from TEAMtalk
