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Wolverhampton Wanderers have been much-improved since the appointment of Julen Lopetegui, moving out and away from the relegation battle. However, their 1-0 defeat at home to AFC Bournemouth means the Spaniard may be tempted into making changes for their upcoming clash at Craven Cottage.
At the moment, Julen Lopetegui appears to prefer Hugo Bueno at left-back, ahead of Rayan Ait Nouri. Ait Nouri is probably viewed as a more attacking full-back, although Bueno certainly offers a thrust up the pitch. Away from home, it would be more likely that Bueno retains his place.
The rest of Wolves’ back-line has begun to pick itself, despite that shock defeat last weekend, with Max Kilman and Craig Dawson in the middle of the defence alongside Nelson Semedo at right-back.
Wolves, after a very busy January transfer window, have several options now for their three central midfielders. Ruben Neves and Matheus Nunes are pretty much nailed on starters. Mario Lemina has returned from suspension and will likely come back in for Joao Moutinho, who is beginning to show his age.
Joao Gomes, who signed from Flamengo, scored the winner at Southampton a couple of weeks ago, but a midfield of Neves, Nunes and Gomes would seem a touch unbalanced for a game at high-flying opposition.
Adama Traore was impressive for much of the game against AFC Bournemouth but, like is the cliché about Traore, Wolves as a whole lacked end product. He’d be expected to keep his place on the right and the same goes for Pablo Sarabia on the left.
Matheus Cunha has shown signs of real promise but the former Hertha striker is yet to start scoring in the Premier League so, despite their own relatively poor form, either Raul Jimenez or Diego Costa, more likely Jimenez, would fancy their chances of getting back into the eleven.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Sa; Semedo, Dawson, Kilman, Bueno; Neves, Lemina; Sarabia, Moutinho, Podence; Cunha
UNAVAILABLE: Chiquinho (Injured), Kalajdzic (Injured), B. Traore (Fitness), Hwang (Injured)
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