90min
·22 de dezembro de 2024
90min
·22 de dezembro de 2024
Vitor Pereira takes charge of his first game as Wolves manager on Sunday as they face Leicester at the King Power.
Wolves once again turned to Jorge Mendes in the wake of Gary O'Neil's departure and swiftly appointed the combustible Pereira as his successor.
The club had no choice to part ways with O'Neil following their 2-1 defeat at home to the similarly relegation-threatened Ipswich last weekend. Wolves currently lie 19th in the table having accumulated a mere nine points from 16 games.
Leicester have also pivoted to a new voice in the dressing room after they dismissed Steve Cooper last month. Ruud van Nistelrooy has facilitated greater excitement in the East Midlands, and the Foxes have climbed out of the drop zone after taking four points from his first two games in charge.
However, they suffered a rude awakening at Newcastle last weekend, succumbing to a 4-0 drubbing.
Here's our guide to Sunday's Premier League clash.
Mads Hermansen picked up a knock last weekend / Stu Forster/GettyImages
Mads Hermansen has been Leicester's standout performer this season but was forced off at Newcastle with a knock. Danny Ward is waiting in reserve, but the Welsh international has struggled recently at this level.
Van Nistelrooy will be able to call upon midfielder Boubakary Soumare after the Frenchman served his one-match suspension last weekend. Wilfred Ndidi is also closing in on a return from injury.
Facundo Buonanotte should return to the hosts' XI having made the bench at St James' Park, but Odsonne Edouard remains a doubt through injury.
Leicester predicted lineup vs Wolves (4-2-3-1): Ward; Justin, Vestergaard, Coady, Kristiansen; Soumare, Skipp; McAteer, Buonanotte, El Khannouss; Vardy
A FA ban surely awaits Matheus Cunha / Catherine Ivill - AMA/GettyImages
An FA ban surely awaits Matheus Cunha after his antics after Wolves' defeat to Ipswich last weekend, but the standout forward has not yet been suspended and is currently available for the game.
Rayan Ait-Nouri did see red after the full-time whistle last weekend and will miss out.
Joao Gomes is back from his suspension, and we'll likely see the new manager retain the back three installed by Gary O'Neil despite Wolves' absence of centre-halves.
Jose Sa is set to miss out due to a shoulder injury, but there could be returns to the matchday squad for Boubacar Traore and Pablo Sarabia.
Wolves predicted lineup vs Leicester (3-5-2): Johnstone; Semedo, Bueno, Toti; Doherty, Andre, Lemina, J Gomes, R Gomes; Cunha, Strand Larsen.
Leicester always score at home, but there should be concerns at the rate they're surrendering chances. Wolves, even if they're without star man Cunha and flying wing-back Ait-Nouri, are bound to have plenty of attacking joy on Sunday. Plus, the return of Joao Gomes in the middle of the park is a boost for the new manager.
We don't yet know what Pereira will offer this talented Wolves side which is bereft of defenders. He's a passionate coach who could supply an immediate spark in the dressing room, and that may well be enough for the visitors to prevail away from home.
Leicester desperately need Hermansen fit. Ward isn't cut out for a barrage.