Back at Molineux for the first of consecutive home clashes for Wolves, Gary O’Neil’s side welcome Fulham in the Premier League, looking to bounce back from last week’s disappointment in the north east.
#1 Inside both camps
Last week at Newcastle United, Jose Sa and Pedro Neto were withdrawn at half-time due to injury, but both trained this week and are expected be in Saturday’s squad. Joao Gomes, who missed the 3-0 loss, was also confirmed as O’Neil as “fine and feeling 100 per cent”. There are concerns around Craig Dawson however, who is struggling with a sore groin and will be checked on late. Hee Chan Hwang and Matheus Cunha are both still out and won’t feature. Should Dawson not make it, Santiago Bueno could be called upon.
Raul Jimenez, who been absent in recent weeks due to a thigh injury, has returned to Fulham training this week, but is expected to miss out on a first return to Molineux. Joao Palhinha will also be absent, like he was against Brighton & Hove Albion last week, having collected 10 yellow cards across the season.
#2 Coming into it
Wolves are focused on banishing the memory of last weekend’s reverse at St James’ Park. Two unfortunate first half goals and missed chances after the break put pay to a three-match winning run in all competitions. At Molineux, O’Neil’s side had won back-to-back games, keeping clean sheets in both, as Sheffield United were beaten in the Premier League and Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup. A third successive win on home soil is undoubtedly the target.
Wolves’ last three | L 3-0 Newcastle (A) – W 1-0 Brighton (H) – W 1-0 Sheff United (H)
The Cottagers head to the West Midlands in buoyant mood, having taken six points from the last six available. Last weekend they comprehensively beat Brighton, with former Old Gold man Adama Traore, bagging his first goal for his new club. Prior to that, Fulham had won at Old Trafford for only the second time since 1963, as Alex Iwobi netted a late winner. Previously, they’d lost five from their last six away from home, with the outlier a draw at Burnley, where they surrendered a two-goal lead.
Fulham’s last three | W 3-0 Brighton (H) – W 2-1 Man United (A) – L 2-1 Aston Villa (H)
Brightening your morning with @LeminaM_13's moves 🕺 pic.twitter.com/cKGeDHPSyU
— Wolves (@Wolves) March 1, 2024
#3 Since last time
Fulham 3 Wolves 2 | 27th November 2023
VAR controversy left Wolves frustrated during their trip to Craven Cottage back in November. Gomes, following a VAR check, was penalised in the fourth minute of added time for catching Harry Wilson and Willian scored the game’s third penalty. In the first half, Cunha had headed home to cancel out Alex Iwobi’s opener. Willian restored Fulham’s lead after Nelson Semedo was harshly penalised, before Hwang equalised again, only for Willian’s late spot kick to win it for the hosts.
Wolves’ XI | Sa, Semedo, Kilman, S Bueno, Toti, Ait-Nouri, Lemina, Gomes, Bellegarde, Hwang, Cunha.
From Wolves’ side that evening, both Cunha and Hwang are now both out with hamstring injuries. Otherwise in the 11, only Bueno didn’t feature at Newcastle last weekend. For Fulham, Tim Ream, Tom Cairney and Willian all started on the bench last weekend. Jimenez started that night but is currently out.
Fulham’s XI | Leno, Castagne, Bassey, Ream, Robinson, Reed, Cairney, Iwobi, Pereira, Willian, Jimenez.
#4 In the media
Former England midfielder Jermaine Jenas, speaking to Match of the Day last weekend, was full of praise for Rodrigo Muniz, who has now scored five goals in as many games.
Jenas said: “Harry Wilson and Muniz as a partnership looked really good. Muniz is a handful. This is what they've missed. Ever since [Aleksandr] Mitrovic left, they haven't really had that presence. They bought Broja in from Chelsea, Muniz is keeping him on the bench at the moment. His hold-up play is really good and Brighton couldn't seem to handle him. He's been in great form. Since the start of February, the goals are flowing and I'm sure he'll be looking to get to double figures. The two of them linked really well. Harry Wilson was dangerous all game long. He got the assist for Muniz, Muniz got the assist for him. Really promising signs. I feel like Fulham have had a really strong season and it looks like it's going to get better and better as it goes on with this partnership.”
Mike Taylor, BBC Radio WM reporter, expects Wolves to continue give everything on both the Premier League and FA Cup front.
Taylor said: “One of the more popular devices around football discussion on air and online these days is the ‘would you rather…’ theme. Would you rather win a local derby or beat the champions? Would you rather prioritise the league or go for a Cup? Such a question may well be asked of Gary O’Neil this week. He looked a little crestfallen at Newcastle, although there was no disgrace in their performance. Wolves were competitive throughout and, given a re-run, might have won, or at least scored first.
“It is also the moment of maximum opportunity. O’Neil rightly railed against the idea that a high finish might be beyond them now: "I don’t want us to be happy just to have 38 points… we need to find a way that we are competitive and keep pushing forward. Fulham in the league this weekend; Coventry in the cup after that. A Wembley date looks more achievable than seventh place just now, but to conserve their dwindling resources for the cup game does not feel like the Wolves way, not this season. Rising ambition demands they go all out for both.”
