When Wolves hosts Southampton on Saturday afternoon in a matchup between the Premier League’s bottom two teams, it looks like they have a chance to start a winning streak.
After winning all three points against Everton last weekend, Gary O’Neil’s team is still at the bottom of the standings and has lost their first 10 games of the season. They will now take on a Saints team that is only one point above them. Ahead of the year’s last international break, both teams will enter their match at Molineux with the intention of winning in order to deal a double blow to a rival struggling team and boost their morale.
Following their hard-earned 2-2 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion, Wolves secured a share of the spoils in a thrilling home tie with Crystal Palace last Saturday night, gaining points in their past two Premier League games. But in what already seems like a potentially crucial matchup with Southampton this weekend, O’Neil will be hoping for a bigger payout. The Wolves manager has some important decisions to make before the match after receiving conflicting information in recent weeks regarding injuries.
Goalkeeper and defence
There is a big call for O’Neil to make as England goalkeeper Sam Johnstone looks set to return to contention after missing the last three Premier League games with a groin injury. The Wolves boss could hand an immediate recall to the former Manchester United stopper or may retain faith with Jose Sa. However, there are two confirmed absentees from the Wolves back line as long-term injury victims Yerson Mosquera and Bastien Meupiyou both remain on the sidelines.
Midfield
Mario Lemina made a substitute appearance in last weekend’s dramatic draw with Crystal Palace after suffering a calf problem in the draw at Brighton and Hove Albion a week earlier. The 32-times capped Gabon international could well make a return to the starting eleven.
Forwards
O’Neil is contending with a whole host of absentees at the top end of the pitch and it seems likely the likes of Matheus Cunha and Jorgen Strand Larsen will retain their places in attack. Hee-Chan Hwang is closing in on a return to full fitness following an ankle injury but it remains to be seen whether he will have to wait until after the international break to be back in contention.
Due to a major knee injury, Enzo Medina has been ruled out for the season, Boubacar Traore will be out until the holiday season, and Sasa Kalajdzic is unlikely to play until the new year. Semedo, Doyle, Lemina, Ait-Nouri; Gomes, Cunha; Strand Larsen; Toti, Bueno, Dawson; Sa.
Read more news on
sportchannel.co.uk
Leave a Reply