da winzada777： This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
da apostebet： Wolves return from the international break with high hopes about kicking on in the Premier League after they enjoyed a fruitful run of matches just a couple of weeks ago.
Nuno Santo’s men recorded three straight victories in all competitions, which was topped off by a stunning 2-0 win over reigning champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
The result was a stark contrast to last month when the west Midlands outfit were trounced 5-2 by Chelsea before losing their Europa League group opener to Braga just days later, both coming on their own patch, Molineux.
Their 32,000-seater home plays host again this weekend as Southampton make the trip north looking to bounce back from a Blues-shaped defeat of their own.
On the Chalkboard
With both teams having to endure a two-week pause in the season, it is hard to gauge how either side is going to perform.
However, Nuno will need to call on improvements from his key man up top, Raul Jimenez, if he wants to get anything from this match.
The Mexican striker is currently suffering a barren domestic spell as he is without a goal in six successive matches in all competitions – his last strike came in the 3-2 defeat at Everton.
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This just simply has to improve, especially as the Saints come into this fixture on the back of four clean sheets in their last five away games and for a side that sits in the sole spot outside of the relegation zone, that’s quite impressive.
Centre-back Jan Bednarek has been a mainstay in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s backline this season, playing in all eight top-flight matches, so it is reasonable to suggest that he will hold the keys to Jimenez unlocking that much-needed goal.
The 23-year-old stands slightly smaller than the Mexican, but this season, he’s won more aerial duels at 3.3 per game. He should be able to use his ability in the air to combat any long balls or crosses that come into the box.
As that’s not entirely Nuno’s style of play, it may be wiser to look at how Jimenez can get the better of the Pole, and it appears that on the ground is the way to go as he averages 2.5 dribbles per game when Bednarek sees a man get past him a good 1.1 times per match.
Although he is strong in the tackle as highlighted by his figures of 2.4 per game.
Jimenez needs to find a way to rediscover his goalscoring prowess this weekend, but Southampton’s young centre-back provides a problematic encounter in doing so.