Wolves vs Sheffield Wednesday
English Championship
Date: Saturday, 26th November 2016
Kick off at 15:00 UK Time
Venue: Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton
Sheffield_Wednesday.svgTwo defeats and a draw at Fulham last time out have seen the Owls slip from their par position in the play-offs down to ninth.
There have been murmurs of discontent amongst the Hillsborough faithful as a consequence, which I suppose is understandable.
They couldn’t have come much closer to promotion last time out, losing the play-off final to Hull and further investment in the team over the summer meant expectations of a top two push didn’t feel unrealistic.
Carlos Carvalhal said this week he expected more from the new signings, as it hasn’t real clicked for the likes of Almen Abdi, Adam Reach or ex-Wolves pair David Jones and Steven Fletcher.
But that’s the risk you take when you add lots of new players to an already well-established team. Perhaps there’s been too much change too soon?
Already 10 points off second placed Brighton and with Newcastle rapidly disappearing over the horizon, the play-offs look like a best case scenario.
Wolves
With Danny Batth suspended and Dave Edwards returning from his ban, Paul Lambert has some decisions to make.
Ironic then that his successor will (almost) achieve that aspiration in his first home game in charge.
OK, it’s more to do with half price tickets and tremendous visiting support than an insatiable appetite cultivated by last weekend’s pulsating draw with Preston, but all the same it’ll be nice to see a big crowd.
27,000 plus are expected and after a solid if unspectacular start at Deepdale, we’re all hoping Paul Lambert can extract more from the group.
He himself said we need to take more risks as a team, so it will be interesting to see if that’s reflected in the starting lineup.
Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield_Wednesday.svgTwo defeats and a draw at Fulham last time out have seen the Owls slip from their par position in the play-offs down to ninth.
There have been murmurs of discontent amongst the Hillsborough faithful as a consequence, which I suppose is understandable.
They couldn’t have come much closer to promotion last time out, losing the play-off final to Hull and further investment in the team over the summer meant expectations of a top two push didn’t feel unrealistic.
Carlos Carvalhal said this week he expected more from the new signings, as it hasn’t real clicked for the likes of Almen Abdi, Adam Reach or ex-Wolves pair David Jones and Steven Fletcher.
But that’s the risk you take when you add lots of new players to an already well-established team. Perhaps there’s been too much change too soon?
Already 10 points off second placed Brighton and with Newcastle rapidly disappearing over the horizon, the play-offs look like a best case scenario.
Wolves
With Danny Batth suspended and Dave Edwards returning from his ban, Paul Lambert has some decisions to make.
team-for-sheff-wed
I think on recent form Edwards has to play, not least because he frequently seems to be the only one capable of getting on the end of crosses.
Price’s steady presence is always welcome and I think the combative Coady give us the necessary running to allow the likes of Costa and Cavaleiro to thrive.
Cav should start and do exactly what he’s done in his last two appearances, which is to say, make half a yard and deliver. If both he and Costa could do that consistently, they’d take some stopping.
Bodvarsson is labouring, but again a chronic lack of service has been an issue. You could start Dicko, but he himself isn’t up to speed.
A straight Stearman for Batth swap seems the smartest and easiest choice, but moving Iorfa central and playing Silvio or Borthwick-Jackson down the left is another avenue.
Wolves vs Sheffield Wednesday: Head to Head Stats
Wolves won this fixture last season which was earlier this year 2-1. It’s been 10 years since Sheffield Wednesday recorded a victory at Molineux. On overall fixtures from the last 12 played, five of them (42%) have been 1-1 at half time.
Wolves vs Sheffield Wednesday: Prediction
Wolves have an advantage here with a new manager and if he has been able to connect with the players in the dressing room then Wolves could well play this match like a cup final. We will take that risk over a Sheffield team who are in poor form anyway. Small stakes on Helder Costa to score any time, he got on the score sheet in Wolves last home game.
Wolves vs Sheffield Wednesday: Bet Tips
Wolves to beat Sheffield Wednesday at 7/4 (2.75)
Anytime goal scorer: Helder Costa (Wolves) at 14/5 (3.80).
