This is a Wolves predicted lineup, as they look to overcome Brentford in the Third Round FA Cup replay on January 16 at Molineux and book a Fourth Round tie against their Black Country rivals, West Bromwich Albion
The sides drew 1-1 on January 5 at the Gtech Community Stadium, with goals from Neal Maupay for the Bees, and Manchester City loanee Tommy Doyle for Wolves following a red card for Brazilian midfielder, Joao Gomes.
Wolves Predicted Lineup vs Brentford in FA Cup Replay
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How Wolves Have Lined-up Recently
The absence of Mario Lemina (who is on compassionate leave, following the death of his father) in the past few games has opened the door for Doyle. The young English midfielder has impressed the crowd at Molineux with the accuracy of his passing and ability to progress the ball up the pitch rapidly.
Matt Doherty has enjoyed an increased number of minutes at right back. The Irishman, who was part of Nuno Espirito Santo’s revolution at the club before leaving for Spurs, has offered the Black Country outfit a reliable overlapping option.
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Most significantly for Wolves fans is the return of Pedro Neto. Following a hamstring injury, Neto had been out for two months, but a string of promising substitute appearances suggests that his place in the starting 11 looks more secure than ever.
Craig Dawson’s knee injury has meant that the summer signing from Girona, Santiago Bueno, in cementing his place at the heart of defence. The Uruguayan took a while to adapt to the league, but baulking the Uruguayan stereotype of hard-hitting warriors, he looks graceful and cultivated with the ball at his feet.
Wolves Recent Form and Tactics
Wolves are in a vein of good form at the moment, having won three on the bounce in the league, including a 4-1 drubbing of Brentford at the Gtech and a 3-0 home win against Everton.
Gary O’Neil has gotten Wolves playing intense football with a mid-block, as they rely on Lemina and Gomes to interrupt opposition play and recycle the ball efficiently.
As the side has grown in confidence, they have abandoned their reliance on direct running and counter-attacks, instead showcasing some fluid build-up play and smooth transitions into the attacking third.
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O’Neil has been vocal about not having a set style for his team, instead arranging the shape and formation around the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition. Tactical versatility has become a hallmark of the South London-born manager. However, Wolves have consistently played a system where the five at the back turns into a three, as the full-backs push into midfield when they have the ball.
Expect a free-floating attacking three who will switch positions as they identify the weakest opposition fullback. The formerly goal-shy Matheus Cunha has started finding the net, and given the recent loaning out of Fabio Silva and Sasa Kalajdzic, there has been an expectation that Cunha will remain central and remain in an advanced position, rather than coming deep to collect the ball.
Wolves Absences
They will be without leading goal-scorer, Hwang Hee-Chan, with the striker abroad in Qatar representing South Korea in the Asian Cup.
Fullback Rayan Ait-Nouri and midfielder Boubacar Traore will both be in Cote D’Ivoire representing Algeria and Mali respectively in the AFCON.
Wolves have spent the winter break in Abu Dhabi enjoying a hot weather training camp, but Dawson has been conspicuously absent from club photography, hinting that his injury could be worse than feared.
Gomes remains suspended after picking up a red in the reverse fixture, but Neto, who has been linked with a move to Arsenal, could be in line for a first start in more than two months.
Predicted Lineup
Jose Sa – GK
Hugo Bueno – LB
Max Kilman – CB
Toti Gomes – CB
Santiago Bueno – CB
Nelson Semedo – RB
Mario Lemina – CM
Tommy Doyle – CM
Pablo Sarabia – FW
Matheus Cunha – FW
Pedro Neto – FW
