Wolves are back in Premier League action tonight – and Crystal Palace are the opponents at Selhurst Park.
Wanderers are looking to spoil the Eagles’ mood a bit after their triumph in the FA Cup at Wembley on Saturday.
Wolves themselves are also looking to get back on track, after losing their last two Premier League games.
The defeat against Brighton was perhaps one of the worst performances we have seen under Vitor Pereira so far, with Wolves failing to control the game and allowing too many transitions.
Pereira felt his Wolves players played without tactical intelligence against Brighton, something he hasn’t seen from his side before, and he’ll be keen for a response tonight.
As ever, the team sheet will be very interesting, with most eyes on that left number 10 position where Matheus Cunha normally plays.
But Pereira has surely got to consider an alternative for tonight’s game.
Mateus Mane should start for Wolves vs Crystal Palace
Photo by Jack Thomas - WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
Last weekend, Wolves fans were introduced to Mateus Mane, many for the first time.
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Mane became Wolves’ youngest ever Premier League player, as he replaced Andre during the closing stages against Brighton.
Pereira had previously praised Mane, suggesting that he could see some involvement for Wolves.
True to his word, Pereira gave Mane his debut against the Seagulls – and perhaps tonight he ought to be trusting him to start.
Given everything that is being reported about Cunha and Manchester United right now, it doesn’t feel appropriate for him to start.
Pereira needs to see players who’ll be here next season, and Cunha will not be at Molineux, so there’s little point in playing him now.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde could be an option to play instead of Cunha. But it just feels as though this could be a game for Mane to make his first start.
Palace may be feeling the after-effects of their FA Cup celebrations, and Mane has the pace to be a threat.
Photo by Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/Wolves via Getty Images
Photo by Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/Wolves via Getty Images
Mane could get Wolves breakthrough next season
Pereira has already confirmed that Mane will be with Wolves’ first-team squad next season. Pereira also called Mane ‘special’ after his debut against Brighton
So it makes total sense for the Wolves manager to give him a decent feel of the Premier League ahead of 2025/26.
He dipped his toe in against Brighton. Now, it would be logical for him to start against Palace, and Pereira has a good excuse to throw him in with the Cunha speculation continuing to distract.
With relegation not a threat, Pereira is free to make changes to his side.
He’s hinted he’ll do that, but he’ll also be keen to oversee a 14th-placed finish, not just for extra prize money for the club, but to see his own stock soar further.
Hopefully, young Mane will get a show of faith tonight and show everyone what he’s all about.