After dropping points late against Wigan, Leeds United will look to bounce back against another team in the middle of the Championship table. Wolverhampton Wanderers have only picked up one point from their last four games and the pressure must surely be on their manager Walter Zenga. On Tuesday evening, whilst Leeds should’ve taken all three points and literally fell at the last hurdle to Shaun McDonald’s injury time equaliser, Wolves went down 1-0 to Brighton.
Chinese investors, the Fuson group, will surely want a return on their investment in Wolves and their expectant fans are losing their patience too.
Last night was very poor. All these new signings playing like they've never met each other. Poor setup, tactics & scared to go for it! #wwfc
— Stephen Lapper (@stephenlapper) September 14, 2016
Despite Leeds United’s less than glorious return to action after the International break, they have been unlucky to produce only one point from their last two outings and will be hoping for a positive result against the under-performing Wolves.
We must see a return to form of our capable defence, resulting in a clean sheet. After the late late equaliser from Wigan, a full 90+ minutes team display, not just a good first half, is needed.
A clean sheet plus a Chris Wood goal of course adds up to a Whites victory.
Leeds haven’t faired that well at Molineux over the years but there hasn’t been many better opportunities than the one that presents itself on Saturday. Wolves are out of form and low on confidence. Monk should opt for an attacking line up and go for it early on.
The Alex Mowatt experiment on the left wing, for me, hasn’t worked. Monk has had his hand forced with the Dallas injury but there are better options on the wing than Mowatt.
Charlie Taylor has also been a weak link in recent games and his form has dropped largely due to the close season transfer rumours. We are short in that position but Monk should assess him and if the player isn’t right, perhaps benching him may return a positive reaction. The remainder of the defence should retain their places.
Wood had looked tired after his efforts for New Zealand but should start with a view to him getting on a scoring run. The industrious Antonsson is my option to support him in a 4-4-2 formation.
Head-to-Head
From 42 games, Leeds have only won 10 times, with 11 draws and 21 Wolves victories.
Form
Leeds last 5: W2 D2 L1
Wolves last 5: W1 L3 D1
Its still early days in the Championship marathon, but this game is as important as any other. A morale-boosting away win could potentially lift the Whites into the top ten.
WHAT
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Leeds United
EFL Championship Fixture
WHERE
Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton
LUTV, BBC Radio Leeds
WHEN
Saturday, October 22, 2016
7:00am PT / 10:00am ET / 3:00pm BT
WHO
Leeds United’s predicted XI
Green, Ayling, Bartley, Jansson, Taylor, Sacko, Phillips, Hernandez, O’Kane, Antonsson, Wood
Wolverhampton Wanderers’ predicted XI
Ikeme, Iorfa , Batth , Hause, Doherty, Costa, Coady , Saiss, Edwards, Oniangué, Dicko
ODDS
Leeds 3/1
Draw 12/5
Wolves 19/20
PREDICTION
Another close game that could go either way but if Monk listens to me then it will be a positive result for the Whites and a 1-0 win to Leeds.