Matheus Cunha replacement drawn in as ‘unlikely hero’ gets nod - Wolves predicted XI vs Nottingham Forest

Wolves are back in English top tier action on Monday night as they take on the high-flying Nottingham Forest at Molineux.

Vitor Pereira will be hoping to continue his unbeaten start as Wanderers’ new head coach following wins over Leicester City and Manchester United, as well as an entertaining 2-2 draw away at Tottenham Hotspur. It will be very tricky to do so, however, as Forest are currently third in the Premier League after 11 wins, four draws and four defeats in the first half of the campaign.

What makes it even tougher is the fact that Nuno Espirito Santo, in charge of the away side, will have a point to prove against his former club. The 50-year-old’s fine work has helped Forest become outside contenders for Champions League qualification this term. The visitors will be gunning for another three points, no doubt.

Pereira has several selection dilemmas to consider, not least the two-match ban in force for star man Matheus Cunha. Selecting a replacement isn’t too straightforward as it can be potentially game changing, especially against a team in as good form as Forest. The midfielders don’t exactly pick themselves, either, with plenty of combinations available. With all of that in mind, here’s the Wanderers starting XI we reckon will be named on Monday.

Wolves predicted lineup vs Nottingham Forest

GK - Jose Sa: The goalkeeper has become the clear number one under Pereira, comfortably ahead of Sam Johnstone in the pecking order.

RWB - Nelson Semedo: The new captain is best utilised as a wing-back rather than a right-sided centre-half. Semedo is so effective when he gets forward.

CB - Matt Doherty: An unlikely hero as a right centre-back recently, Doherty has been combining well with Semedo.

CB - Santi Bueno: The Uruguayan isn’t the most physical presence but that hasn’t been overly exposed in the initial days of the Pereira era.

CB - Craig Dawson: More experienced than anyone else in this squad, Dawson is a vital figure in such a pressured situation at the football club.

LWB - Rayan Ait-Nouri: It seems harsh to keep benching Rodrigo Gomes after he scored at Leicester but Ait-Nouri is without doubt the better option in this position.

CM - Andre: Signed for £21million in the summer, Andre has shown signs of real quality. He went off with a knock last time out but should be fine to start.

CM - Joao Gomes: One of Pereira’s former colleagues in Brazil, Gomes is bound to start most games under the new boss. Mario Lemina, meanwhile, is out injured.

RW - Goncalo Guedes: Pereira will want to see a performance from Guedes like the one away at Leicester, when the winger scored one and assisted another.

LW - Hwang Hee-Chan: The opening goalscorer at Tottenham, Hwang was described as an important asset by Pereira. He’ll fit in well for Cunha during his ban.

ST - Jorgen Strand Larsen: The Norwegian didn’t start at Spurs as he was carrying a minor hamstring injury but Pereira has since confirmed he’ll be fine to play this week.