Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa will lock horns in a crucial Premier League West Midlands derby this Saturday.
The relegation-threatened Wolves host the top-four hopeful Lions at Molineux Stadium, seeking to bounce back from a dismal run of form.
Wolves have managed just one point from their last five league outings, slipping back into the relegation zone. They were beaten by Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United, Chelsea, and Arsenal, the latter in a controversial affair that saw red cards for both teams.
Vitor Pereira’s men will be desperate to avoid another five-game losing streak, a feat only accomplished by West Ham United while still avoiding the drop.
In contrast, Aston Villa have secured Champions League qualification for the first time in 41 years. Unai Emery’s side sealed their place in the last 16 with a 4-2 victory over Celtic, led by a hat-trick from Morgan Rogers.
However, the Spaniard faces questions over the futures of forwards Jhon Duran and Ollie Watkins, as the former is set to join Al-Nassr while the latter has been linked with Arsenal.
Team News
Wolves will be without the injured quintet of Sasa Kalajdzic, Boubacar Traore, Enso Gonzalez, Yerson Mosquera, and Carlos Forbs, while Mario Lemina remains absent.
Joao Gomes is suspended after his red card against Arsenal. Toti Gomes could return to the starting XI alongside Santiago Bueno and Emmanuel Agbadou, with Tommy Doyle likely to deputize in midfield.
For Aston Villa, Matty Cash is a doubt due to a calf injury, while Tyrone Mings, Pau Torres, Amadou Onana, and Ross Barkley are also sidelined.
Donyell Malen could make his first start, but Duran is not expected to feature, with Watkins set to lead the line.
Predicted Lineups
Wolverhampton Wanderers: (3-4-2-1)
Sa;
Agbadou, Bueno, Toti;
Semedo, Andre, Doyle, Ait-Nouri;
Sarabia, Hwang;
Cunha
Aston Villa: (4-2-3-1)
Martinez;
Maatsen, Konsa, Kamara, Digne;
Tielemans, McGinn;
Bailey, Rogers, Malen;
Watkins
Despite Wolves’ desperation for a morale-boosting win, Aston Villa’s superior quality and form should see them edge this encounter. The visitors’ attacking prowess and Wolves’ defensive woes could prove the difference, as the Lions look to strengthen their top-four ambitions.
