Wolverhampton Wanderers will look to continue their excellent start to the season when they host Watford at the Molineux on Sunday. Wolves secured victories in their last two league matches and a win this weekend could potentially lift them to sixth place in the table, overtaking Bournemouth.
Watford, on the other hand, have been heading in the wrong direction after a promising start to the season. Indeed, they are winless in their last four matches league matches, and a win could be imperative this weekend as they look to recover from their cold-streak.
Wolves team news
Rui Patricio was the only doubt ahead of Sunday’s game against Watford, but the Portuguese international seems fit enough to start this weekend, leaving Wolves with no fresh injury concerns going into this game.
Predicted Wolves lineup vs Watford
Defence
As iterated earlier, Rui Patricio will be fit this weekend and should start in goal. Wolves have been pretty solid defensively, so there is no reason for Espirito Santo to change things at the back. Thus, Ryan Bennett, Conor Coady and Willy Boly will once again form Wolves’ three-man backline.
All three of the centre-halves have been excellent so far this season. Collectively, the defensive trio has notched up a stunning tally of 32 interceptions, 50 attempted tackles, 109 clearances while winning 61 aerial duels.
Boly, in particular, has impressed the most, scoring a goal while producing 39 clearances and 16 interceptions, making him one of Wolves’ most reliable defensive players going into this game.
Midfield
Matt Doherty and Jonny have served as reliable fullbacks for Espirito Santo this season and they will be deployed as wingbacks in Wolves’ 3-4-2-1 formation. Jonny has even notched up more interceptions than any other player in the team (18).
In midfield, Nuno will also resort to his trusted duo of Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves – a midfield partnership that has raised many eyebrows this season. As a matter of fact, they have been one of the most effective midfield combinations in the league this season, producing a combined tally of 25 key passes, 75 tackles and 18 interceptions.
Attack
And finally, in the attack, Diogo Jota will be deployed alongside Helder Costa, just behind the central striker Raul Jimenez. Jimenez has scored twice and assisted thrice while also providing ten key passes.
Stat courtesy: Whoscored
