Wolverhampton Wanderers are in home Premier League action once again as Luton Town are welcomed to Molineux on Saturday afternoon.
Gary O’Neil’s men suffered a fourth-straight home defeat on Wednesday as AFC Bournemouth ran out 1-0 victors in a game dominated by VAR controversy. Arsenal were the winners four days earlier as the title challengers won 2-0 despite a dogged Wolves display.
Recent results mean finishing in the top half is the ceiling of Wanderers’ realistic ambitions for the current campaign, with the brief European hopes now long gone. This is a good opportunity to close the gap to the leading 10, though, as Luton are flustered with four defeats in their last five.
Santiago Bueno went off with a hamstring issue midweek, forcing O’Neil into a change at half-time. The Old Gold, as it was, steered away from their usual three-back before the injury but there will be very little choice or tactical flexibility this time around. One positive, though, was Matheus Cunha making his return off the bench against Bournemouth.
With those team news details in mind, here’s the Wolves lineup we predict will face Luton this weekend, including a defensive revamp and an exciting starting XI return.
1. GK - Jose Sa
Sa is sensationally without a clean sheet since the 1-0 FA Cup win over Brighton on January 22. The ‘keeper will be eager to finally put an end to that run. | Getty Images
2. RB - Nelson Semedo
Semedo returned to the XI against Bournemouth and he’s expected to play most minutes left, as long as he’s available to do so. | Wolves via Getty Images
3. CB - Max Kilman
The skipper has been inconsistent this campaign but remains the best centre-back at the club. He just needs to iron out the mistakes from his game. | Wolves via Getty Images
4. CB - Toti Gomes
The Portugal international has often played further left in defence but a hamstring issue for Santiago Bueno forces O’Neil to go with a four-back formation. | Wolves via Getty Images