Nuno Espirito Santo has reverted to a three-man defence and recalled a key defensive figure for tonight’s encounter with Chelsea in order to arrest a recent slide down the table.
The Wolves manager recently switched to a back-four, first out of necessity and then out of choice, with less than positive results.
Over four matches in that configuration produced a total of zero clean sheets and an average of two goals per game.
But 3-4-3 is back tonight with Romain Saïss (£5.1m) returning alongside Conor Coady (£4.9m) and Willy Boly (£5.5m), which keeps Max Kilman (£4.3m) on the bench.
Leander Dendoncker (£4.8m) and Ruben Neves (£5.2m) staff central midfield with João Moutinho (£5.2m) suspended while Fabio Silva (£5.2m) leads the line.
Daniel Podence (£5.4m) and Pedro Neto (£5.7m) are on the flanks for Wolves, with Adama Traoré (£6.1m) on the bench, ready to act as an impact substitute.
Chelsea fans have received a boost of their own as Christian Pulisic (£8.2m) makes a first Premier League start since Gameweek 11, only his fourth of the season.
His inclusion in the front-three means Timo Werner (£9.4m) faces another stint on the right-hand side flanking Olivier Giroud (£6.7m).
Mason Mount (£6.8m) and Kai Havertz (£8.3m) join N’Golo Kanté (£4.9m) in central midfield and Frank Lampard keeps faith with his back-four for the fourth league match in a row.
Wolverhampton Wanderers XI (3-4-3): Patrício; Saïss, Coady, Boly; Marçal, Neves, Dendoncker, Semedo; Podence, F Silva, Neto.
Chelsea XI (4-3-3): E Mendy; Chilwell, T Silva, Zouma, R James; Havertz, Kanté, Mount; Pulisic, Giroud, Werner.
3 years, 9 months ago
Walker being used for big games only...poor asset. Don't need this over Xmas so he's gone for me