Wolverhampton Wanderers are looking to end their run of eight games with a win in the Premier League by beating Arsenal at Molineux tonight.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are really struggling right now, and the calamitous period has seen them slip to 14th in the table, just 10 points ahead of 18th-placed Fulham, who have a game in hand.
Standing in the way of three points tonight is a Gunners side who have been somewhat resurgent in recent weeks.
Mikel Arteta’s side are unbeaten in their last seven games in the league, winning five of those.
Wolves’ 2-1 win over Arsenal back in November remains one of the club’s best results this season, given the early shock of losing Raul Jimenez to that sickening head injury.
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That night, Nuno went with four-at-the-back, and one wonders if he might just do the same again, given how uninspiring the performance was against Crystal Palace at the weekend.
Rui Patricio is under-fire at the moment, but the veteran may get one more chance between the sticks.
In defence Ki-Jana Hoever could again feature on the right with Nelson Semedo on the left to cover for injured trio Rayan Ait-Nouri, Fernando Marcal and Romain Saiss.
It is really hard to envisage Nuno dropping Conor Coady, so the captain may get one more chance to prove he can make it work in a back four and partner Willy Boly.
£16 million star Ruben Neves (BBC Sport) and Leander Dendoncker could pair up in midfield and the Belgian needs a strong showing after some recent struggles.
It could be that Daniel Podence operates just ahead of those two.
In attack, Willian Jose will likely lead the line again, with support coming from Pedro Neto and £43,000-a-week ace Adama Traore (Spotrac) out wide.
Traore’s efforts after coming on against Palace were perhaps just enough for him to earn a recall to the starting XI.
The fact that Arsenal are in great form right now could just put Nuno off making some bold calls regarding the likes of Dendoncker, Patricio and Coady, and these senior players must step up during a very concerning time if selected tonight.
