Wolves currently sit 11th in the table and know that a win could potentially have them knocking on the doors of the European places as they host a Sheffield United sit rooted to the bottom of the table. Last Word on Football looks at the predicted Wolves lineup.
Wolves Predicted Lineup vs Sheffield United: Two-Goal Hero Set To Start
How Wolves Have Lined-up Recently
In the absence of Matheus Cunha, who is out with a hamstring injury, Hwang Hee-Chan has been leading the line with Pedro Neto. The Korean striker failed to assert himself last week against Spurs but will be match-fit and ready to go in the Sunday lunchtime fixture. Elsewhere, Joao Gomes has put in a series of excellent performances and scored a brace at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last week. He will doubtless keep Tommy Doyle out of the starting 11. Manager Gary O’Neil was full of praise for the bullish midfielder, saying:
“He has ability to score goals. He has enough quality and good understanding. He’s working really hard to improve and we need as many goal threats as possibly, especially on Sunday.”
He will be partnered with Mario Lemina, both of whom will drop back to support the trio of centre-halves, Max Kilman, Toti Gomes and Craig Dawson. We can expect fullbacks Nelson Semedo and Rayan Ait-Nouri to bomb up the line to create width and Pablo Sarabia to sit just behind the strikers as an advanced playmaker.
Wolves Recent Form and Tactics
The Black Country side are in reasonable form, completing the double against Chelsea and Spurs recently. However, their last two home games saw them lose to Manchester United and Brentford. The home form had not previously been an issue, and it is unlikely to turn into a long-term trend, but O’Neil will be mindful that the Molineux faithful have been deprived of a win in recent weeks.
Although the Blades look nailed-on for relegation, it has been matches like these that unstick the old gold side. The Yorkshire side secured their win of the season back in November at Bramall Lane in the reserve fixture, as Oliver Norwood scored a last-gasp penalty, awarded in exceptionally dubious circumstances.
In fact, Wolves have struggled against the low block a great deal this season. Their midfield strength lies in disrupting play and recycling it while lacking the technical creativity to unlock a dogged defence. For all the titanic wins against the top four, The Wanderers have dropped points to Crystal Palace, Luton Town and Brentford this season, which belies an inability to get through two banks of four.
In recent weeks, the West Midlands side have relied on the pace and power of Neto, in particular, to hit sides on the counter-attack, but those opportunities will be few and far between in Yorkshire on Sunday.
Wolves Injuries to Consider vs. Sheffield United
The only notable injury Wolves are dealing with at the moment is the hamstring injury to Cunha.
Wolves Predicted Lineup
Jose Sa – GK
Rayan Ait-Nouri – LB
Toti Gomes – CB
Max Kilman – CB
Craig Dawson – CB
Nelson Semedo – RB
Mario Lemina – CM
Joao Gomes – CM
Pablo Sarabia – CAM
Pedro Neto – FW
Hwang Hee-Chan – FW
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