This is the predicted lineup as Wolves host Coventry City in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, knowing that a win would take them to a famous Wembley semi-final. Although the squad is beset with injuries, the team has been buoyed by the return of one key player.
Wolves Predicted Line-up Vs Coventry in FA Cup Quarter Final
How Wolves Have Lined-up Recently
Focused. 🐺 pic.twitter.com/OvG3g9BQra
— Wolves (@Wolves) March 15, 2024
Gary O’Neil has been forced to chop and change his side lately. Injuries to starters like Craig Dawson and Hwang Hee-Chan have led to some experimentation and minutes for younger players, like homegrown starlet Nathan Fraser.
In their last league game, a 2-1 victory over Fulham, the manager uncharacteristically started with a back four, given the absence of Dawson. Santiago Bueno came in to partner captain Max Kilman, leaving Toti Gomes on the bench. Yet, unless the coach dramatically changes his tactical setup, we might expect a return to the tried-and-tested trio of Kilman, Toti and Dawson (who is off the treatment table).
In midfield, Mario Lemina and Joao Gomes have earned their starting places, and with the international break fast approaching, the need for rotation will be minimal. Tommy Doyle has featured intermittently, and a starting spot for him is not impossible if O’Neil changes shape and plays a midfield three.
Read More: Wolves Set to Offer New Contract to ‘Unbelievably Meticulous’ Manager Gary O’Neil
Pablo Sarabia, boosted by a call-up to the Spanish National Team, will continue in an advanced midfield position. The Spaniard is a mainstay of all predicted lineups.
Up top, Nathan Fraser acquitted himself admirably against Fulham and could keep his place. This is partly through the absence of alternatives, as Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Pedro Neto both went off last week with injuries.
The one bit of encouragement for the Molineux faithful is that Brazilian striker, Cunha, is available, although he may not be rushed back into the eleven. The forward has been out for several weeks with a hamstring issue, but in his pre-match interview, O’Neil announced that he was “delighted to have him back and around the squad. It has given everyone a lift.”
Watch: Three Way War – Who Wins the Premier League 2024
Wolves Recent Form and Tactics
A big win last weekend against Fulham stood testament to the West Midland club’s grit and determination, battling through a series of injuries to overcome The Cottagers. It was far from fluid football, but it got the job done, and that felt very significant. Prior to this, The Wanderers had looked patchy, picking up narrow wins against Sheffield United in the league and Brighton in the cup, and losing 3-0 to Newcastle United.
It would be wrong to see this as a downward trajectory, or as the wheels coming off the Gary O’Neil party bus, but it is rather a reflection of a very small squad beset with injuries to important players.
Last week, the absence of forward options led to an unlikely duo of Lemina and Rayan Ait-Nouri leading the attack. Bizarrely, the defensive midfielder and fullback made a formidable pair. The Gabonese midfielder’s tenacity and driving runs, coupled with the Algerian’s pace and dazzling skill created a host of problems for the opposition, and saw Ait-Nouri get on the scoresheet.
The return of Cunha, if he starts, should give the attack more natural balance and provide an outlet for midfield runs, but the Wolves predicted lineup remains difficult to guess at given the number of injuries.
Read More: Wolves’ Enormous Target Man Suffers Third ACL Injury in Five Years
Wolves Injuries and Absences
There has been no official word on how long either will be sidelined, but Bellegarde and Neto both went off against Fulham and are assumed unavailable in the lineup for the fixture against the Sky Blues.
Dawson had a sore groin last week, but is likely to resume his role at the heart of defence.
Hwang Hee-Chan has a hamstring problem that is likely to have him out for another month.
Matheus Cunha is in and around the squad, and may be available, but the manager will be conscious that rushing him back prematurely is a risk he may not need to take against the Championship side.
Predicted Lineup
Jose Sa – GK
Nelson Semedo – RB
Toti Gomes – CB
Max Kilman – CB
Craig Dawson – CB
Rayan Ait-Nouri – LB
Mario Lemina – CM
Joao Gomes – CM
Pablo Sarabia – CAM
Matheus Cunha – FW
Nathan Fraser – FW
