Wolves take on Burnley at 2pm UK time – and Vitor Pereira’s starting XI is now confirmed.
Wolves are looking to get their first win in the Premier League at the ninth attempt, and this clash has become huge for the Old Gold.
That defeat to Sunderland has increased the pressure, and Pereira has suggested today’s game with Burnley is must-win.
Fans are nervous ahead of kick-off with so much riding on the game, but they will be supporting the team as always – and the players have got to stand up and be counted.
Wolves do not want that five-point gap to safety to increase, so losing today could be very damaging. Even drawing would be far from ideal.
But Pereira issued a defiant message going into today’s game with Burnley and hopefully his players will respond – and we now know the identities of the 11 starters.
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Wolves’ confirmed XI to face Burnley – Ki-Jana Hoever gets rare start as Joao Gomes benched
In goal, Sam Johnstone retains his place, meaning it’s a fourth consecutive Premier League start for the Englishman.
Once again, Ladislav Krejci and Santiago Bueno are a centre-back partnership. But there is one surprise in the full-back positions. Hugo Bueno plays at left-back, but Ki-Jana Hoever, who came off the bench last weekend at Sunderland, gets a rare start at right-back. Matt Doherty is not in today’s squad.
Andre and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Marshall Munetsi look to be a midfield trio. Joao Gomes – who has been a starter in every Premier League game so far – has dropped to the bench.
In attack, Jorgen Strand Larsen starts having said his fitness has improved, and he is supported by Rodrigo Gomes and Jhon Arias.
And not only does he lead the line, Strand Larsen also captains the side today, with Toti and Joao Gomes on the bench and Doherty not in the squad.
There had been some clamour for Tolu Arokodare to start this game, but Pereira is keeping the faith with his Norwegian number nine.
It is certainly a bold line-up from the Wolves manager.
The selection of Ki-Jana Hoever at right-back will be a big talking point given how little he has played. That Jackson Tchatchoua is on the bench means Pereira has definitely stuck his neck out by giving the Dutchman the nod.
And Joao Gomes also being on the bench is a huge call.
Granted the Brazilian has struggled to show his best level this season. But he’s still a player who has quality and deeply cares about this club. He will surely be gutted to lose his place.
That said, Pereira has said he expects more from Gomes, so perhaps his exclusion from the starting XI isn’t the major shock it seems, if it is a tactical call.