Wolves are in action against Crystal Palace in pre-season, here are three things to look out for in the friendly.
Gary O’Neil will be hoping to see his Wolves side continue their unbeaten start to pre-season.
The Old Gold beat West Ham 3-1 to kick off their US pre-season tour, with another challenge against Premier League opposition coming up.
There were plenty of positives to take from the victory against the Hammers as many talking points arose from the fixture, with the same set to happen in the early hours of Thursday morning.
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Three things to look out for in Wolves’ US tour pre-season friendly against Crystal Palace
As expected, it was Wolves’ new arrivals that stole the spotlight against West Ham, as Jorgen Strand Larsen, Pedro Lima and Rodrigo Gomes played a part in the goals.
Aside from assessing the newbies, fans will be eager to have some other questions answered against Palace on Thursday as the Premier League season edges closer – here are three things that could draw attention.
Centre-back pairing
O’Neil started the defensive pairing of Toti Gomes and Yerson Mosquera against West Ham, subbing the duo for Craig Dawson and Santi Bueno after the hour mark.
It will be interesting to note whether the boss trials the same combinations or switches it up, with the central defensive pivot something to eye ahead of the new season due to the positional change.
Gomes was outstanding for the Old Gold last season and there is great hope for Mosquera, could they be the new pairing at the back?
Who replaces Matheus Cunha?
Something else to monitor is who O’Neil decides to replace Matheus Cunha with against Palace.
Cunha sustained a hamstring injury in the first half against the Irons which has ended his time on the pitch in the States.
Thriving in the number 10 role just behind Strand Larsen, it will be interesting to see who O’Neil considers capable of playing the position that was very much neglected as a result of last season’s formation.
Will Goncalo Guedes get shot at redemption?
When speaking on the E&S Wolves Podcast this week, O’Neil shared an update on Goncalo Guedes’ time back with the first team.
The Portuguese forward has spent the majority of his Wolves career out on loan with his future looking uncertain.
That being said, the 2022 arrival who signed for almost £28m has been described by the manager as being a player who has “looked sharp” in pre-season.
It would be fascinating to see Guedes somehow turn his fortunes at Wolves around, with his role and approach against Palace certainly something to study.