Wolves are on the prowl for three points as Newcastle United head to Molineux on match day four of the Premier League season.
Gary O’Neil will be desperate to secure his first win of the 2024/25 campaign in the Premier League after Wolves’ difficult start.
The Old Gold have just one point on the board from their opening three games, losing to Arsenal and Chelsea before earning a draw against Nottingham Forest.
There are plenty of positives for Wolves to take from their start to the season, with the only thing missing being a win, something that must be aimed for against Newcastle.
Toti Gomes has an important role for play for Wolves against Newcastle
While Wolves have an opportunity to secure their first victory of the campaign against Newcastle, a win will not come without a test.
Eddie Howe’s side can be incredibly dangerous going forward, as seen prior to the international break as the Magpies got the better of Spurs at St James’ Park.
Arguably the biggest threat that Newcastle pose is in the wide areas, with the combination of Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes emerging as a problem for the opposition.
Against Tottenham, Gordon assumed the right side as Barnes terrorised on the left, giving O’Neil something to consider when selecting his starting XI.
It’s set to be a busy afternoon for Wolves’ fullbacks, giving Toti Gomes the chance to redeem himself on the left side.
The £25k-a-week star has it in his locker to prevail as a top left-sided defender in O’Neil’s back four, after struggling to adapt back to the new formation after excelling in a back five last term.
Given the threat that Newcastle pose on the flanks, Toti now has the chance to rise as a hero once more at Molineux, if he can nullify the danger that the visitors’ winger’s threaten.
Toti has had a difficult start
It’s set to be a challenging afternoon for Wolves’ defence, certainly in the wide areas as the Magpies arrive high on confidence.
Last time out against Forest, O’Neil saw a vast improvement in his back four, with the return of Craig Dawson and the shifting of Toti to left-back proving to be a success.
Toti impressed on the left side of defence in Julen Lopetegui’s back four, being an incredibly athletic defender who reads the game innately on his day.
That being said, it’s been an incredibly trialling start to the campaign for the Portuguese star, who was handed a baptism of fire playing centrally in a back four against both Arsenal and Chelsea.
Toti was branded ‘clumsy’ for his approach against the Blues during Wolves’ 6-2 defeat, with a shot at redemption now there for the 25-year-old.
It might just be that if Wolves’ fullbacks can nullify Newcastle’s threat in the wide areas, the Old Gold can win the game, with three points needed as even greater challenges lie ahead.