Wolverhampton Wanderers will host Coventry City in the FA Cup on Thursday. The Sky Blues are now in eighth place in the Championship table. Wolves are ninth in the Premier League rankings.
Preview (Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Coventry City)
Gary O’Neil is appreciative of all the accolades he receives for his work at Wolves. He also understands that things could turn bad for his squad if they fall short of their potential. With four wins out of six Premier League games to keep the team within two points of seventh-place West Ham United, there is growing hope for a surprise trip to Europe. However, their most recent victory over Fulham came at a price, as Pedro Neto and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde joined other important offensive players on the injury list. It remains to be seen how Wolves can handle that double punch.
They have overcome three difficult matches to advance to the FA Cup final eight. Wolves have had a much-needed rest from activity since last Saturday. In the round prior, Wolves fought their way to a 1-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion. They then defeated Brentford and West Bromwich Albion via a replay. On paper, though, Coventry’s journey to the quarterfinals has been significantly more straightforward. They defeated Oxford United, Sheffield Wednesday, and Maidstone United.
It was perfect for a Coventry team that is itching to get back to Wembley. The site of their heartbreaking Championship playoff final penalty-point loss to Luton Town in May. Despite his team’s recent 5-0 success against Maidstone, Mark Robins will not be very pleased with their performance against Preston North End and West Bromwich Albion. However, since then, the Sky Blues have defeated Rotherham United 5-0 as well as fought their way to a 2-1 victory against Watford last time out.
Team News
Matheus Cunha might be able to fill Hwang Hee-Chan’s spot on the Wolves substitutes’ bench. He will miss this game along with Bellegarde and Neto. However, it is still unlikely. Tommy Doyle might be added to the squad to combine with Joao Gomes. O’Neil might use Mario Lemina going forward to assist Nathan Fraser and Pablo Sarabia. After recovering from a groin injury, Craig Dawson should start in the back three, which means Santiago Bueno will probably be left off the roster.
Victor Torp’s hamstring injury last week provided a setback to Coventry, and Ben Sheaf should return to the club as a straight replacement as a result. Jamie Allen and Tashiro Sakamoto were the only other injury concerns, so Robins could continue with the attacking duo of Ellis Simms and Haji Wright from the Watford starting lineup.
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 Coventry City
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