Leeds United will be hoping to get back to winning ways when they take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
Javi Gracia’s men are currently without a win in 12 of their last 13 Premier League matches and it goes without saying that their survival in the top flight is at stake. Leeds are 19th in the league table and they will have to start winning matches if they want to preserve their status as a Premier League club next season.
On the other hand, Wolverhampton Wanderers have climbed up to 13th in the league table on the back of a few impressive performances. However, they are just three points clear of the drop zone and they cannot afford to slip up now.
Julen Lopetegui’s men have lost three of their last five league matches and the home fans will be expecting a strong performance from the players here. Wolves managed to pick up a narrow win over Leeds when the two sides met in the League Cup back in November and they will be hoping for more of the same here.
On the other hand, Leeds managed to beat Wolves in the reverse fixture in the Premier League and they will hope to complete a league double here.
#COYW pic.twitter.com/D57OH2PTOw
— Wolves (@Wolves) March 14, 2023
Team News and Tactics
Wolverhampton Wanderers
The home side will be without the services of Sasa Kalajdzic, Chiquinho, Diego Costa and Hugo Bueno because of injuries. Costa is expected to return after the international break and he’s sidelined with a knee injury. Bueno on the other hand is struggling with the hamstring problem.
Lopetegui is expected to field his side in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Jose Sa in goal.
Nelson Semedo and Jonny will start as the full-backs here and they will look to add width and creativity from the flanks apart from their defensive duties.
The experienced Craig Dawson will start alongside Max Kilman at the heart of the defence.
Ruben Neves will start alongside Mario Lemina in the midfield pivot. Lemina will look to add drive and physicality to the midfield whereas Neves will look to sit deep and control the tempo of the game.
Adama Traore and Daniel Podence will be deployed as the wingers here and the two players will hope to add flair and pace to the attack.
Joao Moutinho could start as the attacking midfielder and he will hope to link the midfield pivot with the attack. He is an experienced player who is likely to drop down to the midfield from time to time and help create opportunities for his teammates.
Raul Jimenez is set to lead the line for the home side.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Sa; Semedo, Dawson, Kilman, Jonny; Neves, Lemina; Traore, Moutinho, Podence; Jimenez
Leeds United
The visitors are without the services of Liam Cooper, Adam Forshaw and Stuart Dallas. Meanwhile, Tyler Adams picked up a hamstring problem in training and he is set to miss out as well.
Gracia is likely to deploy his side in a 4-2-3-1 formation as well with Ilan Meslier in goal.
Luke Ayling and Junior Firpo will start as the full-backs and the two players will look to keep the defensive unit compact and assist during transitions.
Robin Koch will partner Max Wober at the heart of the defence. In the midfield pivot, January signing Weston McKennie will start alongside Marc Roca. Roca will be their defensive midfielder here and he will look to break up the opposition play while McKennie adds creativity and drive from the deep.
Crysencio Summerville and Jack Harrison will start as the wingers and the two players will look to link up with striker Patrick Bamford and add width to the side.
Brenden Aaronson will start as the attacking midfielder and he will be expected to create opportunities for his teammates with his vision and key passing.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Wober, Firpo; McKennie, Roca; Summerville, Aaronson, Harrison; Bamford
Key Stats
- In the last 16 encounters between the two sides, Wolverhampton Wanderers have won eight games, lost six and drawn two.
- Rodrigo Moreno has 11 goal contributions in 17 league starts for Leeds United this season.
- Winger Jack Harrison has eight goal contributions in 22 league starts for Leeds United this season.
- Wolves have kept a clean sheet in all five of their home league wins this season.
- The Whites are winless in their last seven away league matches.
- Wolves have won three of their past four Premier League home matches.
Player to watch out for
Ruben Neves
✋🧔🏻♂️🤚@rubendsneves_ pic.twitter.com/g4NTnuz2Ka
— Wolves (@Wolves) March 15, 2023
The Portuguese midfielder has been in impressive form in recent weeks and he is our man to watch out for against Leeds.
The 26-year-old will be crucial to the home side’s hopes of dominating the proceedings in the middle of the park. He was outstanding in the recent wins over Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.
Neves will look to dominate the midfield and give his side more control. The Portuguese international has the ability to chip in defensively and protect the central defenders and score the odd goal as well.
Prediction
Wolves 1-0 Leeds United
Wolves are the better team on paper and they will fancy their chances of picking up all three points here.
Leeds are in terrible form right now having picked up just one win from their last 13 league matches. The away side are bereft of ideas going forward and they have been vulnerable at the back.
The Whites are likely to extend they are poor run of form with another defeat here. The Hard Tackle predicts a narrow 1-0 win for Wolverhampton Wanderers at home.
