Predicted Wolverhampton Wanderers Lineup To Face Viktoria Plzen In Pre-Season Friendly
Wolves are assembling an impressive-looking side for their upcoming Championship campaign and they have an appropriately good test coming up against FC Viktoria Plzen of Czech Republic.
The winners of the Czech First League will be a strong opponent and the game is a good chance for the new-look Wolves to show what they can do under head coach Nuno Espirito Santo. New signing Ruben Neves could be in action and supporters of the West Midlands club have a good right to be excited about seeing him and the other new boys in action.
Nuno may go with his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation here, utilising the following XI most likely as long as they are fit:
GK – John Ruddy
The free signing from Norwich is a good addition to the squad, a solid goalkeeper with great experience and he’ll begin the season as no.1.
RB – Conor Coady
Did very well after reinventing himself as an attacking right-back and hopefully he will be given the chance to carry on from where he left off last season.
CB – Roderick Miranda
As well as new signings Miranda and Bennett, Wolves have skipper Danny Batth, improver Kortney Hause, new boy Willy Boly and also Ethan Ebanks-Blake on the books in a competitive looking area of the squad.
CB – Ryan Bennett
Could be given the nod, though as listed above, there are plenty of others in with a shout.
LB – Barry Douglas
The globe-trotting Scot is a very canny signing in my opinion and is much needed at left-back. A good season is on the cards.
CM – Ruben Neves
The valuable Portuguese midfielder will add some serious class and steel to the Wolves midfield and will be a key reason why they’ll be up there fighting for the title.
CM – Lee Evans
Edwards could be required further forward for now, meaning a place for Evans alongside new boy Neves.
RW – Ivan Cavaleiro
Fellow Portuguese player Helder Costa looks Premier League class but is injured and we might see Cavaleiro playing on this side. Costa has been providing chances that aren’t routinely taken so a new no.9 would not go amiss.
CAM – Dave Edwards
An underrated midfielder as far as the general football public is concerned, Edwards can find the net fairly regularly from a deeper position but with Neves doing the holding, he can be even more dangerous than normal now.
LW – Ben Marshall
Although signed by his old Blackburn boss Paul Lambert, Marshall remains a good passer of the ball and could be retained in this position by Nuno.
ST – Joe Mason
New striking talent is undoubtedly needed but I guess Mason will be given the chance to impress for now.