Wolves are taking on Crystal Palace at Molineux tonight and are looking to bounce back after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Leicester City.
Wanderers fans are hoping for a response following that very disappointing result against the Foxes.
Wolves were in a great position to take a big step towards Premier League safety.
But they let slip their lead given to them by Matheus Cunha, with Kelechi Iheanacho and Timothy Castagne scoring for the hosts.
Tonight, Julen Lopetegui faces Roy Hodgson for the first time.
The two managers have been very respectful of one another ahead of the game, and Palace have done well since Hodgson’s returned.
It will be a tough game, but it is also very winnable.
Lopetegui has called on supporters to be vocal tonight, and hopefully that will happen and the players will be spurred on.
With a quick turnaround from weekend, here’s a team the manager could with…
Predicted Wolves XI to face Crystal Palace – Lopetegui to stick with Jose Sa, Ruben Neves returns
Jose Sa had a poor outing against Leicester. His rash decision to come out and engage Jamie Vardy played a big part in Wolves dropping points.
The manager might be tempted to start January signing Dan Bentley. But Sa might just have enough credit in the bank to be given the chance to bounce back.
It is difficult to see Lopetegui making any changes to the defence.
It has looked solid in recent weeks, so Nelson Semedo, Craig Dawson, Max Kilman and Toti Gomes could continue as the back four.
In midfield, Ruben Neves could return to the starting XI after he was benched against Leicester.
Mario Lemina has been assessed this morning and could play. But it’s possible Lopetegui won’t want to take any risks with a key player.
Joao Gomes has been excellent for Wolves in the last three games. It could him that partners Neves.
Matheus Nunes has been performing brilliantly on the right so it makes sense to keep him there.
On the left though, Lopetegui could make a change. Pablo Sarabia hasn’t quite been as influential as some of his teammates in the last few games. He could be swapped out, and top scorer Daniel Podence might be handed a start.
He plays better from the start of games. He might be a good option for this game and it would be a positive change as he makes things happen in the final third.
In attack, Matheus Cunha must surely keep his place. He’s been getting better and better for Wolves.
It might be that Diego Costa drops to the bench for this game due to the quick turnaround.
The 34-year-old has started the last three games and may be due for a rest.
Raul Jimenez has not made the squad for the last three games. One wonders if Lopetegui will get him back involved against the Eagles.
But the manager might turn to Hwang Hee-chan, who has come off the bench in each of the last three games.
The £14 million star can play through the middle, and he does have that physicality that would make him a decent option against Palace.
If all these players started tonight, it would mean three changes from weekend. Costa, Lemina and Sarabia out, with Hwang, Neves and Podence coming in.
Wolves must start fast tonight. The chance is there to pull further away from the relegation zone. Palace have been good under Hodgson, but it’s a very winnable game.
