That battle line has been drawn, it’s an intense contest set for the Molineux as Wolverhampton Wanderers welcome Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday evening.
Both sides fell to a defeat in mid-week as Wolverhampton Wanderers lost to Liverpool at Anfield and Tottenham Hotspur were defeated by the Blades, Sheffield United in the fifth (5th) round of the FA Cup.
Tottenham Hotspur trophy drought continues?
As Tottenham Hotspur look to put an end to their trophyless journey which has lasted for fifteen (15) years and counting, they find it more herculean because they keep falling by the wayside.
Wolverhampton Wanderers couldn’t replicate their first leg triumph at the Molineux over Liverpool in the first leg as Mohammed Salah and Virgil van Dijk rose up clutch to hand Liverpool their first win across all competitions in three games.
It was the fourth time both sides squared up against each other with Liverpool winning on two previous occasions and losing the league encounter. The other cup encounter ended in a draw with Liverpool losing.
Jule Lopetegui’s side come into this game sitting fifteenth (15th) on the Premier League table while Tottenham Hotspur are fourth (4th) on the league table.
Wolves sit just three points above the drop zone and they have picked up on just one point from the last nine points available in the Premier League.
Tottenham Hotspur have been impressive recently in the Premier League and they defeated abysmal and shaky Chelsea last weekend via goals from Oliver Skipp and Harry Kane.
Led by Cristian Stellini due to Antonio Conte still recuperating, The Lilywhites are four points clear of Newcastle United, albeit, with two games in hand for Newcastle.
The Lilywhites haven’t had the best of away form
Tottenham Hotspur’s away form has been appalling as they have lost their last three away matches in all competitions losing to Sheffield United, AC Milan and Leicester City.
It would be interesting to see who gets the upper hand in this battle for superiority, Julien Lopetegui understands what is at hand and the importance a victory against Spurs would mean to his side.
Tottenham Hotspur as well want to solidify their stay in the top four seeing Liverpool and Newcastle United still breathing fiercely behind them in sixth (6th) and fifth (5th) respectively.
In the first leg of this tie, Tottenham Hotspur defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers at their one-billion-pound state-of-the-art ground by one goal to nill in August.
The last time Tottenham Hotspur were defeated at the Molinuex was in 2010 as they also recorded a 1-0 win at the West Midlands through a nicely dispatched spot kick from Dele Alli last season.
Team News for Wolverhampton Wanderers
Another player returned to the treatment room for Wolves during their midweek defeat to Liverpool. Hugo Bueno was substituted with a hamstring issue in the 24th minute.
Spaniard, Lopetegui, has already ruled the 20-year-old out of this game with Rayan Ait-Nouri ready to deputies in his stead.
All of Sasa Kalajdzic, Chiquinho, Hwang Hee-chan and Boubacar Traore are still out nursing long-term injury problems.
However, Matheus Cunha could make a swift return from an ankle injury to make the team, and Julien Lopetegui will accommodate a healthy selection headache in his injury blighted attack.
Pablo Sarabia failed to hit the ground running at Anfield and was taken off at half time, so Adama Traore may come in from the bench against one the Spanish gaffer’s loved players.
Daniel Podence and Pedro Neto are also waiting for an opportunity to present itself so they can prove their mettles.
Team News for Tottenham Hotspur
Similarly, Spurs also have their own long-term players unavailablity list with Rodrigo Bentancur, Ryan Sessegnon, Hugo Lloris and Yves Bissouma out of contention.
Although Emerson Royal is expected to push away the knee issue that put him out of the FA Cup encounter against Sheffield United.
Whoever stands in the touchline for Spurs this weekend should supretends over several changes, including a recall for Harry Kane.
Cristian Stellini revealed that Harry Kane had been battling with several viral afflictions recently.
Another below par performance for Brazilian Richarlison should kiss the end of his time in the first XI goodbye, while Oliver Skipp, clement Lenglet and Cristian Romero are in for opportunities to return.
Wolverhampton Wanderers starting eleven against Tottenham Hotspur:
Sa; Semedo, Dawson, Kilman, Ait-Nouri, Lemina, Neves, Traore, Moutinho, Podence, Jimenez
Tottenham Hotspur starting 11 against Wolverhampton Wanderers:
Forster; Romero, Dier, Lenglet, Emerson, Skipp, Hojbjerg, Davies, Kulusevski, Kane, Son
Prediction:
It should be a game with a low scoreline given the way both sides have fared in recent time. However, Tottenham Hotspur should do enough to leave the Molinuex without a defeat.
So we say Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur or Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur.
