Date: 16th August 2015
Kick-off: 12:00pm
Venue: Molineux
Successive 2-1 victories over Blackburn and Newport have given Wolves a solid start to the season, but Sunday’s opponents, recently relegated Hull City; will prove a much bigger test.
It was at the start of last season that Wolves successfully defeated all three relegated sides in the opening month, and a victory over Hull this weekend would bleed similar confidence into the side that those victories gave.
Kenny Jackett will most likely return to the team selection that started Blackburn, although a solid performance from Liverpool loanee Sheyi Ojo on Tuesday’s game could mean he has earned himself a starting spot.
Connor Coady yet again impressed against Newport and picked up the man of the match award. The centre midfielder is looking like a real steal from Huddersfield and has calmed a lot of fans nerves about the midfield, though the ongoing rumours of Kevin McDonald’s departure, with him still remaining on the final year of his contract, still continue.
Recent signings have addressed the most worrying concerns but Wolves still lack depth among the back four and an injury to Richard Stearman or Scott Golbourne would leave us with a defence with very little championship experience between them.
It’s quite surprising then that Jackett has openly admitted that new signings are unlikely before the end of this transfer window. However this is the same manager who denied interest in Adam Le Fondre two weeks before he signed for club, so anything is possible.
Our opponents Hull have themselves looked to Premier League sides to bring in young reinforcements. Manager Steve Bruce has brought in Issac Hayden and Chuba Akpom on loan from Arsenal to add some more premier league quality to their side in the hope of returning to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
Hull have had a decent start to the season recording a victory on the opening day over Huddersfield with new signings Akpom and Sam Clucas both scoring on their debut. The Tigers also overcame a potential banana skin midweek with a victory over Accrington Stanley on penalties in the Capital One Cup.
Predicted line-up
Ikeme, Iofra, Stearman, Hause, Golbourne, Henry, Coady, McDonald, Edwards, Afobe, Dicko
Fancast Predictions
Stu Wolves 3-0 Hull
Richard Wolves 1-0 Hull
Ry Wolves 1-1 Hull
Luke SCORE DRAW
David Wolves 2-2 Hull
Craig Wolves 1-1 Hull
Danger Men
Wolves
Benik Afobe has two goals from two games so far this season and after captaining the side against Newport, he looks all set for an incredible season ahead. Afobe has noticeably been playing in a deeper role this season than compared to last, but this has not stopped him firing in the goals. He is well on his way to competing with his record of being the joint-top scorer in the country last year with 32 goals.
Hull
Tom Huddlestone has stuck with Hull following relegation and adds real class to their side. The powerful centre midfielder is known for his wide range of passing abilities and no doubt will be compared throughout the game with our own ‘King of the Through Balls’ Kevin McDonald. Wolves’ fans will be familiar with him from his short loan spell from Spurs back in 2005/2006.
Head to Head-At Molineux
Match odds
Wolves 7/5
Draw 12/5
Hull 19/10
First goal scorer
Benik Afobe 5/1
Adam Le Fondre 6/1
Nouha Dicko 6/1
Nikica Jelavic 6/1
Chuba Akpom 7/1
Sone Aluko 8/1
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