In what is his first game as Wolves boss, Rob Edwards is tasked with beating a Crystal Palace side that have gone unbeaten in their last four games in all competitions.
The international break couldn’t have come at a better time for Edwards and Wolves, as it’s given him the time to settle in and really lay the foundations with his new players.
Judging by the reaction of the players, things have gone rather well so far. Matheus Mane has loved what he’s seen from Edwards already, meanwhile Toti Gomes feels he’s the perfect man for the job.
Wolves fans, how do you see Rob Edwards getting on in his first game against Crystal Palace?
However, it’s all good praising the work he’s done on the training ground, but it’s now over to the players to deliver for him on the pitch. Which is something they couldn’t manage under Vitor Pereira.
The one positive is that fact that Edwards’ Wolves opener comes at Molineux, which will inevitably see the South Bank and the whole stadium get behind their new man.
Crystal Palace to welcome back Marc Guehi and Eddie Nketiah for Wolves clash
Rob Edwards’ first game as Wolves boss has just got even harder after confirmation that Eddie Nketiah and England international, Marc Guehi, will play a part for Crystal Palace.
Speaking in his press conference ahead of the game, Oliver Glasner stated that all players are fit.
Jorgen Strand Larsen will need to be at the top of his game to trouble the English centre-back, but his goal for Norway during the international break will hopefully have boosted his confidence.
Guehi loves playing against Wolves and has only lost one of his seven career appearances against them, with five wins during that period at Crystal Palace.
Wolves set to be without three players of their own
Rob Edwards is having to deal with the absence of three players for Wolves’ clash with Crystal Palace, as Matt Doherty, Daniel Bentley and Rodrigo Gomes are all out.
That likely means Jackson Tchatchoua will start at right-back for the Old Gold with the opportunity to really stake a claim for a permanent place in Doherty’s absence.
Head to head: Wolves and Crystal Palace
Outside of the right-back position there are plenty of other dilemmas for Rob Edwards. First and foremost, it’ll be interesting to see whether he opts for a five-back or a four-back formation.
If he goes with what we believe with our predicted Wolves XI, then Hwang Hee-chan will partner Jorgen Strand Larsen up top and it’ll be a back five.
With threats like Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr, a five-back seems the sensible option.