Wolves’ first away day of the Premier League season is a trip to Bournemouth, as both sides look to get off the mark with a positive result.
The last two fixtures against Bournemouth have been contentious, with a red card shown in each.
Vitor Pereira will want to avoid that happening again, and also to bounce back from a disappointing opener against Man City.
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester City - Premier League
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With that in mind, he should field a more attacking lineup against Andoni Iraola’s side.
Jhon Arias and Fer Lopez should start against Bournemouth
Vitor Pereira explained his decision not to start his new signings against Man City, citing the need for more running and physicality in those areas. He would start Marshall Munetsi and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde instead.
The decision did not pay off, as City easily played around the press and scored four goals while Wolves failed to get one.
This time around, he should recognise that the Bournemouth defence is vulnerable after losing so much star talent.
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They conceded four against Liverpool at the weekend, and Fer Lopez and Jhon Arias should be given the chance to punish them by starting in the forward line.
Jackson Tchatchoua could make his Wolves debut, but not from minute one
Jackson Tchatchoua arrived at Wolves earlier this week and has had enough time to suggest he will make the squad for Saturday’s game, but it’s unlikely Pereira picks him to start.
Despite a poor team performance against Man City, Ki-Jana Hoever put in a good shift on the right and he should get the nod again.
David Moller Wolfe seems the obvious choice on the left, and the lack of options at centre-back makes keeping the back line as is the likely outcome, barring a surprise return to the first XI for Yerson Mosquera.
The spine of Jose Sa, Andre and Joao Gomes in midfield, and transfer-linked Jorgen Strand Larsen up front, should be the default this season, and they all should be starting at the weekend.
Predicted XI vs Bournemouth: Sa; Hoever, Doherty, Agbadou, Toti, Wolfe; Andre, J.Gomes; Lopez, Strand Larsen, Arias.