Wolves will host Arsenal at Molineux Stadium in the Premier League as a relentless run of games threatens to derail their season even further. Despite playing fairly well against teams around them in the table, Wolves have struggled to keep up with top-half teams. This is evident from their last two results – defeats at Newcastle (3-0) and Chelsea (3-1).
Prior to that, they lost 3-0 to Nottingham Forest as they continue to slip dangerously close to the relegation zone. At present, Wolves remain outside the drop zone only by virtue of their superior goal difference (-19) as compared to Ipswich’s (-23). With just 16 games left to play, manager Vitor Pereira has his work cut out to keep the club in the top division.
However, this will be no easy feat as the game against the Gunners is just the beginning of a challenging run. They will host Aston Villa in the next match, followed by a trip to Anfield to play Liverpool, after which they will travel to the south coast of England to face high-flying Bournemouth. The manager will look to bring the best out of the team for this phase, and with that said, let’s see what XI he will field in the next match.
Wolves Starting XI: Will Pereira adopt a more defensive shape?
Usually deployed in a more attack-minded 3-4-2-1 formation, the prospect of facing a possession-dominant side could force Pereira to adopt a more defensive shape, or better yet, to transform the existing formation into a back five during defensive transitions.
Jose Sa will take his place between the sticks for Wolves. Matt Doherty and Santiago Bueno will start in defence, with Craig Dawson coming in to add some experience and steel. On the wings, Pereira will continue with captain Nelson Semedo on the right and Rayan Ait Nouri on the left.
Andre and Joao Gomes will play a double-pivot holding role in midfield, with Matheus Cunha and Pablo Sarabia operating in the advanced roles ahead of them. Jorgen Strand Larsen will be the lone striker up front.
Predicted XI: Sa; Doherty, Dawson, Bueno; Semedo (C), Andre, Joao Gomes, R.A. Nouri; Sarabia, Cunha; Larsen.
