The Top 2 of the Championship are due to meet at the Cardiff City Stadium on Friday as Cardiff City welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers. While the Wolves are placed at the top of the league table, Cardiff City are 6 points behind them in the second. However, the Bluebirds have played a game lesser than Nuno Espirito Santo’s men.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Team News
Ruben Neves and Matt Doherty are available once again after both saw a brace of yellows against Middlesbrough which forced them out of action in their side’s 2-2 draw against Hull City.
Here is how we expect Espirito Santo to roll out his starting line-up against Neil Warnock’s men.
Goalkeeper
John Ruddy is likely to be pencilled under the bar yet again. The 31-year-old custodian has been an instrumental figure for Espirito Santo’s side, having collected 19 clean sheets from 40 games, and has made 1.83 saves per game on an average.
Defence
Ryan Bennett was used as the right-wingback in the absence of Doherty against Hull City and he was really unfortunate to concede an own goal. However, he is expected to move to his defensive role once again on Friday and he is likely to be stationed alongside Conor Coady and Willy Boly.
These three defenders have been quite resilient at the back and the camaraderie they have amongst themselves has been one of the primary reasons for the uplift in stature of the Wolves. But Warnock has some really quality attackers in his arsenal who are going to test them time and again.
Wingbacks
Doherty is set to return to the right-wingback position once again and there is no denying that his absence was felt against the Tigers. The manner in which he knits a fine balance between his defensive duties and attacking endeavours has been exemplary to watch.
From the left-wingback position, Barry Douglas is likely to get the green signal to start once again. He keeps things neat and tidy on the left and is going to be a key player against Cardiff City.
Midfield
Considering that Neves will be back, the Portuguese is expected to make a start from the middle of the park. He not only cushions the back line meticulously but also gallops forward time and again to score goals and to create chances. Meanwhile, Romain Saiss is likely to be stationed alongside him in the middle of the park.
Attack
While Helder Costa might operate from the right-wing, it would make a lot of sense if Espirito Santo’s side starts with Ivan Cavaleiro from the left-wing. Although Diogo Jota started against Nigel Adkins’ men in their last league fixture, we expect Benik Afobe to lead the line against Cardiff City.
