Wolves will welcome Everton to the Midlands on Saturday for their next Premier League match. The Old Gold are looking to end their run of recent defeats.
Despite suffering back-to-back league defeats against Fulham and Liverpool, Wolves remain outside of the relegation zone thanks to Leicester City and Ipswich Town’s abysmal form.
And next up for Vitor Pereira’s side is Everton. The Toffees come into this weekend’s tie in superb domestic form having not lost since mid-January, and there has been more good news for David Moyes, who is set to welcome one of his most important players back.
READ: ‘Doubters well and truly silenced’ – Wolves fans rejoice at news coming out of Molineux
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Abdoulaye Doucoure has returned for Everton
Abdoulaye Doucoure missed Everton’s 1-1 draw against Brentford last time out.
The midfielder failed to make the recent trip to London due to the birth of his child. He has since linked up with the rest of the squad during their warm-weather training break in the UAE.
Now back and with the rest of the squad, Doucoure, who has netted two Premier League goals this season, is in contention to feature against Wolves on Saturday.
Doucoure in Premier League 2024-25 Statistic
Matches played 23
Started 22
Goals 2
Assists 1
Big chances created 2
Avg. tackles per game 1.4
Avg. balls recovered per game 4.7
Yellow card 2
Red card 1
Doucoure is likely to start in an advanced box-to-box role which sees him stationed behind striker Beto while also offering support in defence.
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Won and lost in midfield
The midfield battle is often key to winning games, especially in the notoriously fast-paced and physical Premier League, and Saturday’s game between Wolves and Everton will be no different.
The Toffees are incredibly strong in their approach to nullifying their opposition’s threat. Wolves will have to match the away team and win their individual duels if they’re to get any joy at either ends of the pitch.
With Doucoure set to feature along with Idrissa Gana Gueye in Everton’s midfield, the likes of Joao Gomes and Andre will need to be prepared for a physical contest but cannot lose their heads.
Discipline will be key to this weekend’s game, and unfortunately, Wolves’ recent record, which sees Matheus Cunha suspended, suggests this is an area where Everton could have the advantage.