Wolverhampton Wanderers are on home soil yet again this weekend as they play host to Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon. Eager to make it two wins on the bounce at Molineux, Wolves will be full of confidence following a narrow 1-0 win over Chelsea last weekend.
The Bees, meanwhile, head into the clash without a victory in their previous four outings having lost two and drawn two in that period. It was a painful defeat for Brentford last time out as they failed to hold onto a 1-0 lead, losing 2-1 to Newcastle United. Ivan Toney missed a penalty for the first time ever in the Premier League that day.
European qualification hopes are slipping away for Thomas Frank’s side, so a bounceback is needed to bring them to life. Wanderers, on the other hand, are at the top of the bunch fighting relegation but are far from safe just yet. Four points above the drop, a win this weekend would be a huge boost to securing top-flight football for next season.
It won’t be easy, though, as Brentford have been a difficult side to beat this season with just seven defeats in 30 matches. Two of those have come in consecutive outings, though, meaning their morale is low. To give Wolves the best chance of a positive result, this is the starting XI we predict Lopetegui to go with – including a decision on Matheus Nunes. See below.
1. Wolverhampton Wanderers predicted starting lineup vs Brentford
These are the 11 players we think Julen Lopetegui will start on Saturday.
2. GK: Jose Sa
Finally kept a first clean sheet in a few weeks and looked confident between the sticks. Daniel Bentley isn’t threatening Sa’s spot just yet.
3. RB: Nelson Semedo
Has become one of the first names on the team sheet under Lopetegui and will continue to be so for the rest of the campaign, we imagine.
4. CB: Craig Dawson
Showed a real improvement against Chelsea after a drop in form beforehand. Nathan Collins was close to replacing him, but the £25m signing is left out again.