It’s almost time for Premier League action to resume after the international break, and former player Chris Sutton has named his player to watch in Wolves vs Newcastle.
The match against Newcastle sees two teams searching for a maiden win on the season.
Eddie Howe’s side will be favourites, with the English manager unbeaten against Wolves in his time on Tyneside.
Chris Sutton was asked how he thinks the game will go, and there’s one thing he thinks would be ‘typical’ if it happened, given the summer drama both sides were a part of.
Chris Sutton is watching out for a Jorgen Strand Larsen winner
Previewing the weekend’s action, Sutton seems less than convinced by Wolves’ chances, but he isn’t writing them off completely.
Making his weekend predictions for BBC Sport, Sutton writes: “We will have to wait and see how fit and ready Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa are, or how they settle in, but I still think Newcastle will have too much for a Wolves team who are leaking too many goals.”
Most pundits are backing Newcastle in this one. Paul Merson thinks Wolves will lose badly.
But Sutton suggests it’s not such a foregone conclusion, and thinks if Wolves are to get something, it will be through the man who wanted to join Newcastle this summer.
He continues: “At least Wolves do carry a threat going forward – especially in Jorgen Strand Larsen, who Newcastle tried to sign last month.
“It would be typical if he went to St James’ Park and scored the winner, but I don’t see that happening.”
Sutton is leaning towards Newcastle, predicting a 3-1 scoreline, but evidently thinks an upset isn’t completely out of the question.
Jorgen Strand Larsen still a question mark for Newcastle game
Strand Larsen picked up a knock last month that has seen him return early from international duty.
No concrete update has emerged on his fitness as of yet.
But his presence at St James’ Park would be huge for Vitor Pereira, who has not yet seen a fully match-ready Tolu Arokodare.
The Norwegian is nailed on to start if he’s fit, but if not, Arokodare will have to be ready to contribute.
The size and quality of this Newcastle back line would make it a difficult afternoon for someone like Hwang Hee-chan, and force Wolves to move away from the crossing play that has been successful for them so far this season.
Fans will be hoping Strand Larsen has had enough of a break to be ready for Saturday’s outing.
Friday afternoon will give us more insight when Pereira talks to the press ahead of an all-important away trip.