Wolves face their biggest game of the campaign so far as they host Southampton in a relegation six-pointer at Molineux.
It’s been a terrible beginning to the season for Wolves, making their worst start in over 40 years after failing to beat Crystal Palace last weekend.
A draw against the Eagles left Gary O’Neil’s men bottom after Southampton clinched a vital 1-0 victory over Everton.
O’Neil is feeling the pressure ahead of the clash against the Saints, as David Moyes and Rob Edwards have been shortlisted as potential candidates for the Wolves job if the 41-year-old gets sacked.
Following a return of just one win in his last 20 league games, most feel he should have been shown the exit door already however, this game could determine whether he remains in the dugout or not.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 19 |  SouthamptonSouthampton | 10 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 19 | -12 | 4 |
| 20 |  WolvesWolves | 10 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 27 | -13 | 3 |
Wolves team news ahead of Southampton
There is no way to sugarcoat this fixture; it’s a must-win for Wolves if they are to survive in the Premier League this term with O’Neil walking on thin ice.
Luckily, there aren’t many injury troubles holding his squad back of late, with O’Neil confirming that both Hwang Hee-chan and Sam Johnstone returned to training this week.
Hwang has been sidelined since early October when he suffered an ankle injury on international duty while Johnstone missed the Crystal Palace match through illness.
The pair will likely take their place in the matchday squad this weekend, although it’s highly unlikely either will start.
Aside from that duo returning, the Wanderers remain without five players, including Bastien Meupiyou, Sasa Kalajdzic, Enzo Gonzalez, Boubacar Traore and Yerson Mosquera.
The biggest losses from that list have been Traore and Mosquera, as while the former is expected to return by Christmas, the latter is out for the season after a promising start.
Wolves predicted lineup vs Southampton
O’Neil should remain with the same formation that secured a point against Crystal Palace, deploying his flexible 3-4-3 system.
Jose Sa was lucky not to concede in the final minute at home to Palace but he starts between the sticks, despite Johnstone’s return.
The Wolves manager has no choice really but to line up with a centre-back trio of Santi Bueno, Craig Dawson and Toti Gomes.
Nelson Semedo and Rayan Ait-Nouri should continue on the flanks, offering attacking support as wing-backs, while there could be a change in midfield.
Tommy Doyle was off the pace last weekend and should be replaced by Mario Lemina, who impressed after coming on against Palace.
The ‘terrific’ Lemina will be joined by the incredible Joao Gomes after scoring his first goal of the season, with the Brazilian offering incredible work rate and control behind a forward trio of Pablo Sarabia, Jorgen Strand Larsen and Matheus Cunha.
Wolves (3-4-3): Sa; Dawson, Bueno, Toti; Semedo, Gomes, Lemina, Ait-Nouri; Sarabia, Cunha, Larsen.