Wolves predicted lineup, team and injury news as £14m star returns vs Fulham

Wolves clinched their first three points of the season before the break, but now a tricky trip to Fulham awaits.

Gary O’Neil is on a quest to get the Wolves fans back on side after a disastrous start to the season.

Despite securing a 2-0 win over Southampton, fans still wanted O’Neil gone, demanding much-improved performances from the Old Gold.

Wolves are entering a run of winnable fixtures, and while Fulham is one they’d target on paper, the Cottagers are currently flying in seventh position.

As a result, Paul Merson predicts Fulham to beat Wolves on Saturday, and that is an outcome many expect to see this weekend.

• READ MORE: Chris Sutton shares whether Wolves will stay up as he makes Fulham score prediction

Wolves team news ahead of Fulham clash

For the Wanderers to come away with all three points from West London, O’Neil will have to execute his game plan to perfection, with Toti Gomes needing to stop Adama Traore.

Luckily, the 41-year-old has received a boost ahead of this weekend, with Santi Bueno fit to take his place in the squad.

Wolves fans were initially fearing the worst over Bueno, who suffered a groin injury on national duty, but the Uruguayan should be ready to start.

Hwang Hee-chan is another they’ve heard good news from. Hwang returned to training before the break and now the 28-year-old is confirmed to be available for selection.

The South Korean forward cost Wolves £14m at the start of 2022 and he’s been mostly brilliant, though he is yet to score or assist this season.

O’Neil will demand that to change very soon, as he begins to look sharper with each passing day.

Wolves predicted lineup vs Fulham

Jose Sa is currently winning the battle over Sam Johnstone for the starting spot in goal. O’Neil has been impressed with the Portuguese shot-stopper and he’ll likely be called into action here.

Bueno’s injury concern put the idea of a back three in jeopardy, although following O’Neil’s latest update, the Uruguayan should continue alongside Toti Gomes and Craig Dawson in defence.

From right to left, Nelson Semedo will continue on the flank while the dynamic duo of Mario Lemina and Joao Gomes should remain in the middle with Rayan Ait-Nouri on the left.

Pablo Sarabia’s Wolves future is up in the air ahead of January, though he’s come into form of late after scoring against the Saints.

The Spaniard will cut in from the right with Matheus Cunha looking to produce some more magic for Wolves next to Jorgen Strand Larsen.

Predicted Wolves XI vs Fulham: Sa; Bueno, Dawson, Toti; Semedo, Gomes, Lemina, Ait-Nouri; Sarabia, Cunha, Strand Larsen.