Nuno Espirito Santo’s Wolves host Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham at Molineux in an intriguing Premier League game on Sunday, with both sides battling for form at the moment.
Spurs enter the game after losing their last two Premier League games and winless in three – a run that saw them slip from the top to sixth place in the table. They rediscovered their winning touch midweek, however, when they triumphed over Stoke in the EFL Cup quarter-finals.
Wolves, meanwhile, have won just once in four games in December, losing the other three. They were beaten 2-1 at Burnley on Monday after stealing a thrilling victory over Chelsea the week before. Nuno will likely go with his strongest team against Spurs in an attempt to return to victory.
Here is the lineup that should start doing just that.
Rui Patricio (GK) – The number one Wolves has kept four clean sheets so far this campaign and will try to make five on Sunday night.
Willy Boly (CB) – The defender was not on Monday and will likely return to the side to replace Max Kilman.
Conor Coady (CB) – The Wolves captain has played in all but one of their Premier League games so far and offers excellent passing ability from the back, as well as his defensive prowess.
Roman Saiss (CB) – The Moroccan is the preferred option to play alongside Boly and Coady at the back and Nuno will likely stay with him to the left of the three center-backs.
Nelson Semedo (RWB) – The former Barcelona player has impressed since joining the club, ranking first in dribbling (26) among Premier League defenders. It is safe to start on the right.
Ruben Neves (CM) – Essential in their creative play, racking up 73 assists in the final third so far this season – 40 more than any other Wolves player. Starter guaranteed.
Joao Moutinho (CM) – Another Portuguese international, and another crucial cog in the wolf system. Usually a real creative presence, but he’ll be looking to get his first assist of the season against Spurs.
Rayan Ait-Nouri (LWB) – In Jonny’s absence, the France Under-21 international has done well, making 11 tackles and interceptions in just five appearances this season.
Mixed feelings tonight… very disappointing result but honored to be the youngest player to score a Premier League goal for Wolves… hopefully the first in a long streak… ??? pic.twitter.com/dFE4lGOZjV
– Fábio Silva (@Silva_Fabio) December 21, 2020
Daniel Podence (CF) – The striker performed exceptionally when given a free role behind the forwards. It seems to slide around players and easily take up pockets of space. A real threat to his day.
Pedro Neto (ST) – The forward has the club’s second-best 90-minute goal ratio, beaten only by Raul Jiminez. He provides danger in the final third, and can hurt teams with his pace.
Fabio Silva (ST) – In Jiminez’s absence, Silva struggled to become his team’s talisman, but the 18-year-old performed well and showed promise. He will look to continue scoring his first goal at Turf Moor on Monday, when he became Wolves’ youngest goalscorer in the Premier League.
