Wolves, under Nuno Espirito Santo, have been a formidable force since their return to Premier League last season. They not only progressed through to Round of 16 of the prestigious Europa League competition defeating Espanyol in the previous round but also managed to stay in the hunt for a Champions League berth banking on an exquisite domestic run back in the homeland.
They, however, are now aiming for a place in the quarterfinals, and therefore should be upbeat for the Thursday night contest away at Olympiacos. The Greek giants have already eliminated heavyweights Arsenal (on away goals) in an epic encounter at the Emirates and Pedro Martins, the current Thrylos boss who was a teammate of Nuno during their playing days, must utilise the home advantage during the first-ever competitive meeting between these two esteemed outfits.
Wolves Team News vs Olympiacos:
Wolves have a couple of injury concerns for the midweek tie. Jonny is ruled out with an ankle injury whereas Morgan Gibbs-White, too, is unavailable for the midweek tie due to a twisted ankle suffered while featuring for the U23s.
Wolves Formation vs Olympiacos:
Nuno’s ‘back three’ has been a considerable success both at home as well as abroad. The gaffer would stick to it for the Olympiacos game but, at the same time, must prefer a 3-4-3 over 3-5-2 considering the pace, power and flair he has down the wide areas.
Predicted 3-4-3 Wolves Lineup To Face Olympiacos
Defence
John Ruddy has been the understudy to Rui Patricio ever since the latter was roped in from Sporting CP. The Portuguese ‘number 1’ would retain his place between the sticks at the Karaiskakis Stadium.
Wolves have a pretty stable ‘three-man backline’ consisting of skipper Conor Coady, Willy Bolly and Romain Saiss. Although Kilman was handed a start in the return leg against Espanyol, Nuno is unlikely to experiment this time around and line with up the preferred trio to contain the likes of Youssef El-Arabi and Mathieu Valbuena.
Midfield
Matt Doherty has been excellent down the right-hand flank as he offers marauding runs, bursts forward for goals, while also providing depth and width at the back to deal with the opponents’ threats. Ruben Vinagre, the young left wingback, is expected to step up in the absence of Jonny and continue to impress with his energy and enthusiasm.
Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves, the Portuguese pair offer a perfect amalgamation of experience and youthfulness in the middle of the park. They should be deployed in their usual roles in an attempt to dominate the midfield game despite playing away. Leander Dendoncker might be called into action as an impact substitute at some stage in the second half.
Attack
Raul Jimenez has already found the net nine times in the Europa League and would lead the line once more having been rested against the Budgerigars at Cornellà de Llobregat. Diogo Jota is in fine form too as he grabbed a hattrick in the first leg tie (vs Espanyol) at the Molineux and the duo should be accompanied by Adam Traore on the right who has been a revelation this term with his pace, power and stamina. Daniel Podence and Pedro Neto would keep their place among the substitutes.
