Wolves return to Premier League action on Saturday, with Brentford the opponents once again for Wanderers.
Gary O’Neil‘s side go into the game on a high after beating Chelsea 4-2 at Stamford Bridge last week.
Matheus Cunha grabbed a hat-trick against the Blues, and it was one of the best performances of the season so far down in west London.
The win allowed Wolves to move up into the top half of the table for the first time this season, and fans are starting to grow optimistic about a potential push for Europe.
It will be tough, but O’Neil might just be able to pull off something special.
On Saturday it’s Brentford again, and there’s one Wolves player who will be especially important for O’Neil…
Ivan Toney is back for Brentford against Wolves
On Saturday, it will be the fourth meeting between these two clubs this season, with Wolves getting the upper hand in two of the games so far.
In the reverse fixture in the league, Wolves defeated the Bees 4-1 as they capitalised on some terrible defending. Wolves old boy Nathan Collins had a torrid time in particular that evening.
Brentford were not at it in the previous meetings, but for this game, Ivan Toney will be playing, which wasn’t the case before.
Toney had been serving an eight-month ban after being charged with breaching betting regulations by the FA.
He recently returned to action against Nottingham Forest, and should be leading the line against Wolves on Saturday. In his three appearances so far, Toney has scored two goals, and against Manchester City on Monday night, he used his strength to hold off Nathan Ake to allow Neal Maupay to open the scoring.
So Saturday is a big game for Wolves star Craig Dawson, who will likely be tasked with nullifying the 27-year-old.
We know that Toney is a physical player who loves a tussle with a defender, and he is excellent in the air – last season, according to WhoScored, he averaged 3.3 aerial duels won per 90 in the Premier League, and has registered the same average so far this term since coming back.
Craig Dawson will be hugely important for Wolves on Saturday
He is important every game, but Dawson will be especially crucial this weekend.
The 33-year-old, who was described as ‘incredible’ by Stuart Pearce earleier this season, is the perfect counter for Toney because like the striker, he loves a physical battle.
Dawson himself is fantastic in the air – earlier this season he was revealed to have one of the highest heading duel success rates in the Premier League, along with Max Kilman.
The £3 million veteran is the ideal match up for Toney, who is far and away Brentford’s biggest threat.
You would imagine that he will be playing more centrally and so, he’ll be in Dawson’s territory more often that the other Wolves defenders.
Hopefully, Wolves’ Mr. Reliable can keep his opponent in check – doing so will hand Wanderers a great chance go on and win the game.