Formation change, €13.5m man starts, and goalkeeper decision – Wolves predicted XI vs Crystal Palace

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 28: Gary O'Neil, head coach of Wolverhampton Wanderers walks out during a Wolverhampton Wanderers Halloween Open Training Session at Molineux on October 28, 2024 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Jack Thomas - WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images)
Gary O’Neil has a goalkeeping conundrum to think about whilst a player might have played his way into his plans.

Wolves are still on the search for their first Premier League win of the season as they host Crystal Palace in front of the Sky Sports cameras on Saturday.

 

Gary O’Neil‘s men came from two goals down to salvage a point against Palace’s main rivals Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend. GON was forced in to making two changes at the break, and they proved to be inspired substitutions.

Keeping goals out has been a problem this season, but perhaps the best form of defence is offence, and that’s why Wolves should be attack minded for this game. They are playing at home, and against a side that aren’t too far away from them in the table.

 

Here are the 11 Wolves players we reckon will start this weekend, including a slight rejig of the team.

 

Wolves predicted XI vs Crystal Palace

GK: Jose Sa

The Portuguese shot-stopper continues in between the sticks with Sam Johnston’s status uncertain. Johnstone trained but he wasn’t ‘feeling quite right’ but surely now with some training behind him, GON will be faced with a goalkeeping conundrum. Sa made a mistake in the draw with Brighton & Hove Albion, but hopefully he can put that behind him.

RB: Nelson Semedo

Back-to-back assists against Brentford and Man City. He’s played in all seven league games he has been available, so he’ll start once more.

CB: Craig Dawson

Craig Dawson has missed just one league game this season, and has started six of the last seven league games. He will get the nod once more, but he needs to be a part of a team that sures them up against Palace.

CB: Toti Gomes

Gomes was withdrawn for Carlos Forbs at half-time as Wolves made a double substitution. Wolves cannot afford to go a goal or two behind, so he and Dawson must use this game against Palace as a chance to aim for a clean sheet.

Despite Wolves’ plight, Ait-Nouri has been a shining light in this team. Three goals and two assists for a left-back is a good return, and he should cause the Palace defence some problems.

slight doubt for the game owing to a calf problem, but he should overcome the issue.

Tommy Doyle hasn’t had as many starts as he would have liked. (Image: Getty Images)
Tommy Doyle hasn’t had as many starts as he would have liked. (Image: Getty Images) | Wolves via Getty Images

CM: Tommy Doyle

He’s been limited to one league start this season, but last time out Doyle got an assist. We’ve seen how good of a player he can be following his loan last season, and now he deserves a run in the side.

CM: Joao Gomes

Joao Gomes has been ever present in the league this season with nine starts.

RW: Carlos Forbs

He gave a good account of himself when he came on against Brighton. Forbs has been limited to one start this term, so let’s see what he’s like when he’s unleashed from the off against Palace.

ST: Jorgen Strand Larsen

 

Larsen has three goals and an assist from his nine league games this season. Let’s see him add to his tally in what will be an attack-minded team.

This is a game in which we want to see Wolves attack things from the off. Cunha’s the top scorer this season with four goals, and this could be a game that he relishes. He was one of the best rated players in the league last week.

 

 

FOR MORE STORIES LIKE THIS CHECK  OUR HOME

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*