Match Thread: Wolves vs Leeds United

Old Foes Meet Again
By Wolves
March 18 2023

A huge challenge awaits Wolverhampton Wanderers this afternoon as they face the opportunity to move clear of the Premiership relegation zone. In their way will be Leeds United who, themselves are looking to climb out of the bottom three.

Wolves fans will clearly remember the evening exactly one year ago today when Leeds last came to town in the Premier League. They were two goals down at half time and had suffered a number of injuries. In the second half Raul Jimenez was unjustly sent off, and United capitalised scoring three goals to win the game!! A repetition cannot be allowed to happen today!!

Coach Julen Lopetegui has declared that Pablo Serabia and Matheus Cunha have recovered from injuries, but Hee Chan Hwang has sustained another unidentified injury and will not be available, neither will Hugo Bueno. No word on Boubaka Traore, who of course scored the winner last time United came to town in this season's Carabao Cup. Whilst Diego Costa's injury was seemingly not as bad as at first thought, it's not clear whether he is fit to return to duty. It will be interesting to see which line-up JL starts with, and whether he will be tempted to start with a back three considering he has changed to that line-up after half time in the last few games. Matheus Nunes has been largely ineffective of late, and sat out the first half at Newcastle so it will remain to be seen whether he is restored to the starting Xl.

For their part Leeds will be without their influential American midfielder Tyler Adams, who some have described as being their best player this season. However they have plenty more regaining full fitness and showing a potential threat like Bamford, Gnonto and Rodrigo. New manager Javi Gracia will be keen to get his first away win after managing a 2 -2 draw at home to Brighton last week. The game at Elland Road was a close run one on the first day of the season, with Daniel Podence scoring an early lead for Wolves before Ridrigo's goal levelled it. Rayan Ait-Nouri was unlucky to put through his own net in the second half to give United the points when a draw would have been more representative of the game.

Looking at today's games, and the challenges faced by the clubs lying below them in the League, this is a marvellous opporunity for Wolves to state their case and move out of harm's way with three points:

Managerless Crystal Palace are on the same points as Wolves and must travel to leaders Arsenal tomorrow.

Bourneouth are away at Villa

Leicester are away at Brentford

Southampton are at home to Spurs

Everton are away at Chelsea.

West Ham's game at Man City is postponed because of City's FA Cup game with Burnley.

Clearly though, this is a game Wolves cannot afford to lose

Todays' game will kick off at 3pm and will not be televised. Our referee will be the relative newcomer Michael Salisbury with the more experienced David Coote on VAR duty

Subject to a good stream this board will endeavour to provide regular updates on the progress of the game. Members and visitors to the board are encouraged to post their own observations and join in the conversation.

Match Thread: Wolves vs Leeds United

Posted by: Wolves (IP Logged)

Date: 18/03/2023 12:06

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:04:16:19:20:34 by Ivybridge Wolf.