Wolves need to field their exceptional talent against Newcastle tonight, and it could be a game-changer for them.
Wolverhampton Wanderers are back in action, and Gary O’Neil will be delighted to have a pivotal player available for selection…
Wolverhampton Wanderers are set to play this evening, with Gary O’Neil’s in-form team hosting high-flying Newcastle United at Molineux for the tenth matchday of the Premier League.
Following a challenging summer, the Old Gold appears to have finally found their stride under O’Neil, with the team currently enjoying a four-game unbeaten streak in the league.
While their confidence is high, Wolves are in for a significant challenge tonight as the Geordies also come in strong, sharing an unbeaten record in their last four league matches with O’Neil’s side.
Wolves’ Team News Against Newcastle United:
In their previous outing, Wolves faced a tough test from Bournemouth, which they passed with Sasa Kalajdzic’s late winner, securing a 2-1 victory just two minutes from time at the Vitality Stadium.
The game started with an early goal from Matheus Cunha, and although the usual scorers Hee-Chan Hwang and Pedro Neto didn’t find the net, both provided assists, continuing their fine form.
While these two forwards are crucial in the final third, an integral part of O’Neil’s setup was missing due to Mario Lemina’s suspension following two yellow cards against Aston Villa.
Fortunately, for the hosts this evening, the Gabonese ace is eligible to start against Newcastle, along with Nelson Semedo, who also missed the previous match due to suspension.
A lovely team goal 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/lQMjktuZ1D
— Wolves (@Wolves) October 22, 2023
On the injury front, it has been revealed that Joe Hodge will be sidelined for eight weeks after undergoing shoulder surgery, and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde continues to recover from a calf issue.
Lemina’s return timing is critical for Wolves’ chances against Newcastle, as the Magpies present a significant midfield threat that could be effectively countered by the 30-year-old battler.
The Stats Support the Case for Mario Lemina’s Inclusion Against Newcastle United:
When examining Wolves’ squad, statistics show that Lemina is O’Neil’s top-performing midfielder in terms of tackles and interceptions in the Premier League.
The Gabon international averages 2.5 tackles and 2.1 interceptions per game this season in the league, underlining his importance in disrupting opponent attacks in the midfield.
On the other side, Newcastle possesses impressive midfield talent, particularly through Brazilian duo Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.
Last season, Joelinton ranked in the top 6% of midfielders in the Premier League for his average of 1.79 successful dribbles per 90, demonstrating his ball possession and play transition skills.
Similar strengths can be found in Guimaraes’ style of play, with this season’s statistics showing an average of 1.52 successful dribbles per 90 and notable progress in distribution with 1.52 key passes and 6.99 progressive passes per 90, according to FBref.
Despite the threats posed by Eddie Howe’s duo, Lemina is the most suitable player to counter their abilities, as indicated in the provided data.
Once described as ‘unbelievable’ by analyst and scout Umir, the 30-year-old’s return could be pivotal to Wolves’ chances of defeating Newcastle, with his unique midfield presence setting him apart from O’Neil’s other options.
Molineux has already witnessed Wolves’ victory over Manchester City this season, giving hope that the squad can rise to the challenge as they face the Geordies tonight.”
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