Wolves host Fulham in a Premier League clash on Saturday afternoon looking to bounce back from last weekend’s disappointment.
After playing three games in the space of six days, including an FA Cup clash against Brighton, Wolves were fatigued and Newcastle United capitalised by winning 3-0.
The Wanderers were missing Hwang Hee-Chan, Joao Gomes and Matheus Cunha for that match while Pedro Neto and Jose Sa were taken off as injury precautions at half-time, as later revealed by Gary O’Neil.
While Gomes, Neto and Sa should be fine to start against Fulham, Hwang and Cunha are still injured, leaving O’Neil with a striker dilemma to resolve.
Marco Silva’s men arrive into this fixture in great form right now, winning three of their last four matches – the latest being a 3-0 win over Brighton as Harry Wilson, Rodrigo Muniz and former player Adama Traore got their names on the scoresheet.
The result left Fulham three points and two places behind Wolves in 12th, however, only a three-goal win for the Cottagers would be enough for them to overtake the hosts.
In his preview of the match (Sportskeeda), Paul Merson claimed that talented winger Neto isn’t as greedy as he used to be and believes he could play for any team in world football, including Manchester City.
To go with that claim, he also issued his score prediction for the match and thinks that the injury-hit Wolves will beat Fulham 2-1.
Wolves have to shut down Rodrigo Muniz to beat Fulham
Although he didn’t start for the Cottagers last time out, Wolves will be well aware of the threat that Traore carries for the visitors.
After all, the powerful winger did spend five years at Molineux terrorising defences and the club did offer him a new contract last summer, but he rejected it and moved to West London instead.
Aside from the Spaniard, the biggest threat that O’Neil’s men must watch out for is striker Rodrigo Muniz.
The 22-year-old made a slow start this season and failed to score in his opening 10 matches.
Now, the Brazilian has netted five goals in his last five matches and is one of the most in-form strikers in the Premier League currently.
Muniz scored and assisted against Brighton last time out to go with strikes against Burnley, Bournemouth and Aston Villa.
He is certainly one to watch for Fulham, who will be set up to pounce on the counterattack.
And what is most alarming for the hosts is how clinical the striker has been in the penalty area. Muniz has bagged his five goals from a total xG of just 3.23 and will be looking to do further damage by denting the Wanderers’ European hopes.