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After Southampton and Ipswich both picked up points in the earlier games, the best position Wolves would be able to climb to today would be 18th; while Palace – currently 17th – would jump a place above Everton to 16th.
If Wolves do win, of course, it would leave Ipswich as the Premier League’s only winless side after 10 games.
Some of the afternoon reports have landed. Get stuck in.
It will be fascinating to see how Palace fare without two of their most talented players, Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton. Ismaïla Sarr was an exciting signing in the summer and should be good to watch in what looks like a mobile and speedy front line for the Eagles tonight. Daichi Kamada is a neat and tidy replacement for Wharton and should bring some bite alongside the tigerish Will Hughes.
It’s also interesting that Wolves have opted not to bring Mario Lemina straight back into the starting lineup after injury. Presumably that’s a fitness thing, as he’s usually a key player for Gary O’Neil. I’d politely suggest Pablo Sarabia and Matheus Cunha need to step up with goals and assists to get the hosts going today.
Some more Saturday football reading for you. Jonathan Wilson on Arsenal. *Grabs popcorn*
There’s been much talk about 3-4-3s in the past week with Rúben Amorim set to bring that system to Manchester United as part of his tactical revolution. The 3-4-3 is nothing new, of course, Antonio Conte and Chelsea won the Premier League using it a good eight seasons ago.
And it looks like we’ve got two teams using 3-4-3, or variants thereof, in this evening’s clash. Both Wolves and Palace will play up to a focal point/target man striker, with two attacking midfielders/inside forwards playing in and around them. The benefit of such a system is that it lends itself to the ‘box’ midfield that managers like, while retaining some width and defensive solidity (that’s the idea anyway).
There’s plenty happening in the 3pm kick-offsin case it’s escaped your attention. You can follow the games as they reach their denouements here.
Team news
Wolves: Sá; Bueno, Dawson, T. Gomes; Semedo, Doyle, J.Gomes, Aït-Nouri; Sarabia, Cunha, Strand Larsen.
Subs: Bentley, Doherty, Lemina, André, R.Gomes, Forbs, Bellegarde, Guedes, Pond.
Crystal Palace: Henderson; Chalobah, Lacroix, Guéhi; Muñoz, Kamada, Hughes, Mitchell; Sarr, Nketiah, Mateta.
Subs: Matthews, Turner, Schlupp, Clyne, Doucouré, Umeh-Chibueze, Devenny, Kporha, Agbinone.
Preamble
Few at the start of the season would have predicted Wolves would be 19th and Crystal Palace 17th after nine games of this 2024/25 campaign – with just one victory between them. Wanderers have had their boardroom struggles, sure, but looked like they were going somewhere last season under Gary O’Neil. And Palace claimed 19 points from a possible 21 at the end of last term – a run that included a 3-1 win in Wolverhampton – and generated some serious momentum under Oliver Glasner.
This feels like a pretty big game at Molineux with both sides spotting seen some green shoots in the past week. Wolves could be buoyed by their comeback at Brighton last weekend, surging back from 2-0 down to clinch a spirited point, while Palace won at Villa in the Carabao Cup to give Glasner some welcome relief.
In terms of team news, Mario Lemina is expected to be fit for the home side, while Sam Johnstone is available to come back in goal – although José Sá could be preferred. Palace are without key duo Adam Wharton and Eberechi Eze, which creates further headaches for Glasner.
Kick off is at 5.30pm (GMT). Stay tuned for all the latest.
