With tonight’s 5.30pm kick-off at Wolves just a few hours away, it’s good time to predict which team Eddie Howe will select at Molineux.
Here’s the side I’m expecting to start and why:
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Burn – Longstaff, Bruno, Joelinton – Almiron, Wilson, Gordon.
As Botman, Tonali, Isak, Murphy, Anderson, Miley and Barnes are all out, there’s only so much we can rotate after Wednesday’s defeat to Dortmund.
With Tonali’s ban officially confirmed by FIFA on Friday night, Howe has a decision to make for that left-sided midfield slot. Joelinton or Joe Willock? The Brazilian looked rusty in midweek and it may be a risk to play him three times in a week so soon after his injury, but the same applies to Willock after he made his first appearance for five months off the bench in midweek.
If he’s fit enough to start, Willock’s pace, dynamism and threat on the counter could be a huge weapon. However, I think Howe may play the slightly safer option in Joelinton.
Up top, Isak’s injury means Wilson is likely to lead the line, although I don’t think he’ll play much more than 60-70 minutes after playing the majority of our last two games over the past seven days.
