Wolverhampton Wanderers will host Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday. The Cottagers scored three goals without answering a meek Brighton & Hove Albion.
Preview (Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Fulham)
Wolves faced Newcastle United at St James’ Park looking to preserve a six-game unbeaten streak on the road that included back-to-back victories over Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur. However, O’Neil’s team was unable to mount a counterattack and lost the match in the North East. Giving Wolves a taste of their counterattacking medication, the Magpies quickly converted from defence to offensive. Alexander Isak broke the early deadlock. Anthony Gordon’s shrewd goal and Tino Livramento’s deft finish rounded up an overwhelming Newcastle triumph.
O’Neil’s club is still hanging on to a top-half position in 10th place, but Wolves have been demoted below Newcastle in the Premier League standings due to their first top-flight away defeat after Christmas. They also missed the opportunity to pass Fulham’s most recent victims, Brighton. The hosts could even win the FA Cup and return to the continent next weekend. They play Coventry City in the quarterfinals.
Before Wolves supporters start obsessing over Wembley, their team is aiming for a third straight home win after victories of 1-0 over Brighton and Sheffield United in the league and cup, respectively. The hosts have only failed to score in one of their last 20 top-flight matches at Molineux. Last Saturday, Fulham defeated Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton in West London. Welsh wing king Harry Wilson and Brazilian hotshot Rodrigo Muniz stole the show in the first half. Wolves shipped three goals without managing to manufacture a reply.
Team News
O’Neil’s decision to substitute Jose Sa and Pedro Neto at halftime due to thigh injuries added to Wolves’ suffering against Newcastle; nonetheless, both changes were preventative, and there is hope that both players will be fit to start this weekend.
Joao Palhinha’s return to Fulham will be a huge boost, even though Wolves’ availability is primarily negative news. The Portuguese enforcer missed his team’s last two Premier League games due to accumulating 10 bookings. After starting the victories over Manchester United and Brighton, Sasa Lukic may feel unfairly dismissed this weekend, but the Serbian international is set to make way for the restored Palhinha, who will line up in the middle with stand-in captain Harrison Reed once again. Raul Jimenez, the only injured player for the Cottagers, is still recovering from a thigh injury, but Muniz’s presence makes it difficult for the Mexican to gain a look-in at this time.
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-2 Fulham
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