A new era is set to begin at Wolves as Vitor Pereira takes charge of his first game away at Leicester City on Sunday.
Wolves may be second bottom of the Premier League table but there is a sense of excitement about the appointment.
The 56-year-old has already shown his appetite to fix the club’s biggest issue on the pitch, with Pereira outlining how to improve their set-piece record.
Under Gary O’Neil, the Wanderers conceded 16 goals from dead balls and 40 in total, placing them as the worst defence in the league.
Now, supporters will hope Pereira, whose dream is to work in England, can provide defensive stability and a platform to climb up the table, starting against Leicester City on Sunday.
Rayan Ait-Nouri of Wolverhampton Wanderers is carried away by a member of staff after a confrontation at the final whistle after the Premier League...
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Wolves team and injury news ahead of Leicester City
In terms of team news, Pereira will be without Rayan Ait-Nouri, who is facing a one-match ban after getting sent off at full-time against Ipswich Town.
Matheus Cunha was also at risk of a ban after slapping an Ipswich security guard but the FA still haven’t issued his punishment, and Cunha is available to start against Leicester.
As for the injury updates, Enso Gonzalez was seen training at Compton this week as he steps up his recovery from an ACL injury.
MORE WOLVES STORIES
Gonzalez has only made one senior appearance for Wolves since last year and perhaps needs a loan move away in the January transfer window.
Meanwhile, the new Wolves manager confirmed that winger Pablo Sarabia will be absent from the squad with a calf problem.
Pereira didn’t give an update on Jose Sa but he’s expected to still be out while Boubacar Traore is back at the end of the month.
Wolves predicted lineup vs Leicester City
All eyes will be on how Pereira sets up his Wolves team against Leicester.
One Brazilian expert spoke highly of Pereira’s 4-3-3 system at Corinthians. However, in his latest role at Al Shabab, the Portuguese mainly used a 3-4-3 system or a 3-4-1-2.
It will be interesting to see how he sets up his side at Leicester, with the lack of defenders perhaps forcing him to play a four-man defence and Sam Johnstone in goal.
Matt Doherty is the likely replacement for the suspended Ait-Nouri while Toti Gomes could partner Craig Dawson in defence with captain Nelson Semedo at right-back.
Andre, Joao Gomes and Mario Lemina could be his preferred midfield three, although don’t be surprised to see Tommy Doyle given a start.
Meanwhile, Pereira could deploy a front three of Goncalo Guedes, Cunha and Jorgen Strand Larsen as he aims to kick the new era off with a bang.
Wolves predicted XI vs Leicester (4-3-3): Johnstone; Semedo, Dawson, Toti, Doherty; Andre, J. Gomes, Lemina; Guedes, Cunha, Strand Larsen.
Related Posts