Wolverhampton Wanderers are back in Premier League action on Saturday afternoon as they take on Brentford away in the capital. Steve Davis’ side will need to bounce back after a difficult few weeks which has seen Wolves lose four of their last five matches.
Currently two points deep into the bottom three, the Wanderers have made a dismal start to the campaign and relegation is starting to become a real threat. Confidence is low and it shows, with just five goals scored in the opening 12 matches - by far a league low.
Only Nottingham Forest are worse off at this stage, but even they have netted more with eight. It is a good opportunity for Wolves to perhaps move off the foot of the table this weekend with teams in and around them facing tough fixtures.
Forest take on Arsenal, Leeds head to Liverpool, and Leicester host champions Manchester City. If the Wanderers can pick up all three points, things could look far better at the end of the weekend. But a better performance will be required, with Brentford not exactly being pushovers.
The Bees have been quite the surprise package since they were promoted to the Premier League, enjoying a second successive campaign in the top flight and so far avoiding the infamous second season syndrome. Thomas Frank and his men will likely look at the fixture as a good opportunity to further build on their strong start.
To make it as difficult as possible for them, Davis may have to make quite a few changes to his side, and that is what we predict will happen. Here is how we think the Wolves starting 11 will look at the Gtech Community Stadium - in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
1. GK - Jose Sa
Sa hasn’t been at his peak this season but has still kept four clean sheets in 13 matches. The 18 goals conceded will be a disappointment, but Sa is still Wolves’ clear number one choice in goal. | Getty Images
2. LB - Jonny Otto
Returning to what we would argue is his better side of defence, Jonny moves from right-back to left-back in our predicted lineup. We feel his most memorable days in a Wolves shirt have been there and it allows for a Semedo return. | Getty Images
3. CB - Maximilian Kilman
Didn’t have the best game against Leicester by any means, but still proved himself as an aerial presence, winning four duels. Could do with an improvement on the ball, though, as he was dispossessed twice by the Foxes. | Getty Images
4. CB - Nathan Collins
The former Burnley man’s return after suspension has been tough as Wolves have conceded six goals in just two games. Collins will be eager to improve alongside some more experienced defensive counterparts. | Getty Images