Wolves will be looking to pick up where they left off after the international break when West Ham visit Molineux in the Premier League.
Wolves beat Southampton 2-1 before the international break, sending them nine points clear of the bottom three, and now they’re looking to close the gap on West Ham.
The Old Gold are eight points behind the Hammers, who are just one position above them in the table, with it looking as though a 17th-place finish is the best they can hope for.
Ahead of the clash, Matheus Cunha’s comments about leaving Wolves have upset the fans, with the Brazilian’s potential exit dominating the headlines.
However, Vitor Pereira will also have a big decision to make regarding his team sheet and that could include a surprise start for one player.
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Vitor Pereira could hand Goncalo Guedes a shock start against West Ham
Wolves came away from the South Coast with a vital 2-1 victory last time out and the starting lineup from that game shouldn’t be too dissimilar to the team fielded by Pereira against West Ham.
That being said, perhaps the Portuguese tactician will make one change in attack, dropping attacking midfielder Marshall Munetsi for Goncalo Guedes.
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Munetsi has been brilliant for Wolves since arriving during the January transfer window and the 28-year-old scored his first goal for the club against Everton last month.
The Zimbabwe international has offered strength and power that is handy in a physically demanding Premier League, though he could perhaps be more impactful from the bench on Tuesday night, with the ‘excellent’ Guedes starting over him.
The Portuguese attacker has only made seven starts in the league this term, returning two goals and four assists but he has been impressive off the bench and arguably deserves more playing time, especially with Cunha returning soon.
As one of two attacking midfielders deployed behind Jorgen Strand Larsen, Guedes possesses the guile and quality to unlock Graham Potter’s defence, seeing him as an ideal candidate to come into the side.
Guedes has a big summer ahead
Guedes has attracted transfer interest in recent months, suggesting the 28-year-old could be a carving a way out of Molineux.
However, Pereira insisted Guedes is ‘very happy’ at Wolves in February, even though the Portuguese international has played a sporadic role of late.
Guedes was wanted by Villarreal in November and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them return for him in the summer.
But, with Cunha destined to leave Wolves and Hwang Hee-chan fielding transfer interest, perhaps Guedes will be one player who remains at the club beyond the summer.