Jorgen Strand Larsen injury assessed as ‘liability’ continues to get nod - Wolves predicted XI vs Leeds United
Predicting Wolverhampton Wanderers’ lineup at home to Leeds United in the Premier League – will Jorgen Strand Larsen start?
Wolves return to home soil this Saturday to play host to the newly promoted Leeds United.
The Old Gold will be desperate to right their wrongs after losing their first four Premier League games of a new season for the first time in their history. Head coach Vitor Pereira, handed a new contract despite the poor start, will be as determined as anyone to get Wolves back on track.
Leeds are, on paper at least, one of the easiest opponents of the campaign. But it certainly won’t be easy to beat them. The Whites have won one, drawn one and lost two so far, keeping two clean sheets. It may be early in the season, but this is also a six-pointer in the relegation fight.
Pereira has several selection dilemmas to consider as he seeks to up his team’s level. There’s a decision to be made for Jorgen Strand Larsen, too, as the striker has been recovering from an Achilles tendon problem. The latest assessment on the Norwegian was that he was taking it day by day, so there’s a chance he’s ready in time.
Wolves predicted lineup vs Leeds
With all of that in mind, and reverting to a 3-4-2-1 after last weekend’s 3-5-2, here’s the team we reckon Pereira will name against the Whites.
GK - Jose Sa: The Portuguese missed the defeat at Newcastle last weekend but should come back in as it was illness rather than an injury. Sa remains the first choice goalkeeper, ahead of Sam Johnstone and Dan Bentley.
RWB - Jackson Tchatchoua: It’s still early days for Tchatchoua at Wolves, but he’s got to start more often that not due to the sheer pace he possesses. The Cameroon international clocked a top speed of 37.3km/h against Everton; the third quickest speed recorded in Premier League history.
CB - Emmanuel Agbadou: The Ivorian has been quite the defensive liability this season, but he should continue to start. It’s been a very poor start but Agbadou was Wolves’ best defender last campaign. Form is temporary.
CB: Ladislav Krejci: Signed from Girona for around £26 million, Krejci made his debut in midfield last time out. He could drop into defence to allow for a change in formation.
CB - Toti Gomes: Pereira’s preferred option on the left of the back three, at least for now, Toti is likely to get the nod once again. It’s a matter of experimentation for now so the best trio can be discovered.
LWB - Hugo Bueno: It’s been surprising to see Bueno in the team so often given he was almost sold at the start of the summer, but he’s been decent. The Spaniard could play ahead of both Rodrigo Gomes and David Moller Wolfe.
CM - Andre: Sitting deepest of Wolves’ midfield players, Andre is now proven at this level and has shown potential to become one of the division’s best in his position. He thrives in big matches.
CM - Joao Gomes: Completing a Brazilian midfield pairing, Gomes is among Wolves’ new leadership team. The 24-year-old has been steadily improving and is turning into a well-rounded player.
RAM - Jhon Arias: The Colombian has had his initial settling in period and offers good creativity in the final third. Arias is still looking for his first competitive Wolves goal or assist, mind.
LAM - Marshall Munetsi: In his unorthodox wide box-to-box role, Munetsi will presumably get the nod ahead of Fer Lopez. It’s likely to be a very physical encounter and Munetsi is well suited to that.
ST - Tolu Arokodare: Pereira will want an out-and-out centre-forward for a game of this magnitude and Tolu could be in line for another start. There’s optimism around Strand Larsen’s recovery, but it feels too soon for him to be thrown back into the XI.