Predicted Wolves Line-up To Face Middlesbrough In The EFL Championship
EFL Championship leaders Wolves will be anticipating a difficult game when they face 6th placed Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium on Friday night.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s men come into the game on the back of a 12-day rest, which should have given them the recuperation they needed at this stage of the season to push on and secure the league title. Their last fixture against Burton Albion turned out to be a fairly easy one and took them 6 points clear of the chasing Cardiff. Another win here against tough opposition would give them a timely boost.
Due to Wolves’ excellent form and the fact that there are no new injury worries, it is very likely that they will continue with a very similar line-up to the team that beat Burton Albion nearly two weeks ago.
Team News
On-loan attacker Diogo Jota is still out with an ankle injury. Apart from that, Santo has a squad with a clean bill of health to choose from.
Manager: Nuno Espirito Santo
Formation: 3-4-3
John Ruddy (GK)
The England goalkeeper has been in fine form all season and will remain as Wolves’ No.1 for the rest of the season as long as he stays fit. He’ll definitely start in goal on Friday.
Ryan Bennett (CB)
Bennett should retain his position in the Wolves back-line.
Conor Coady (CB)
A stalwart in the Wolves defence this season, Conor Coady will be one of the first names on the team sheet.
Willy Boly (CB)
Boly has played in 29 of Wolves’ 38 games this season and has been consistently marshalling the back line.
Matt Doherty (RWB)
Doherty has linked up incredibly well with Helder Costa down the right-hand side for Wolves this season and will continue to do so on Friday.
Barry Douglas (LWB)
The Scottish born left wing-back will have his hands full dealing with Adama Traore on Friday. Hopefully, Douglas’ runs down the left will push the Middlesborough winger back.
Ruben Neves (CM)
The best central midfielder in the Championship, he is essential to the team. He is the orchestrator of the Wolves midfield.
Roman Saiss (CM)
Roman Saiss will be Neves’ partner in the centre of the park.
Helder Costa (RW)
A menace on the wing and a creative force; Helder Costa will once again maraude down the right.
Ivan Cavaleiro (LW)
With Diogo Jota still out with an ankle injury, Ivan Cavaleiro is the most likely to start on the left-wing this Friday.
Benik Afobe (ST)
The on-loan Bournemouth striker scored a brace against Burton Albion in Wolves’ last game and certainly seems to be making up for lost time. He is the focal point of their attack and is a scary prospect for the Middlesborough defence.