The primary matchday of the Premier League is within the rearview mirror after a weekend that noticed a minimum of one aim scored in each sport. Of all of the video games, Brighton had been close to the highest when it comes to targets scored as they put 4 previous promoted Luton.
Subsequent up, they face Wolves, who confirmed a shocking quantity of resiliency and character as they almost upset all odds to get a win at Previous Trafford towards Manchester United.
What appeared like a nailed-on three-pointer for Brighton earlier than Wolves’ sport has instantly turn into a must-watch fixture. Gary O’Neil is doing his factor once more and Roberto de Zerbi‘s males will have to be at their best possible to get a win towards a pushed Wolves aspect.
WHEN & WHERE?
The place: Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton.
When: Saturday, nineteenth August 2023.
Time: 3 PM BST
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Andy Madley.
Assistants: James Mainwaring & Nick Hopton.
Fourth official: Dean Whitestone.
VAR: Peter Bankes.
Assistant VAR: Steve Meredith.
TEAM NEWS
Each groups got here out of the primary matchday unscathed. Brighton have misplaced Moises Caicedo since that sport however he didn’t play towards Luton in any case as he ready for his Chelsea transfer.
Jakub Moder is a long-term absentee on account of an ACL harm. He’s again coaching with the squad however his return to aggressive motion stays a way off.
Wolves don’t have any harm points in any respect. Gary O’Neil got here on the eve of the season beginning and has expertly managed the workload of his gamers to keep away from this situation. Now he’s reaping the fruits of his planning.
They did play two days after Brighton so some modifications could possibly be within the offing nevertheless it’s nonetheless virtually 5 days earlier than this sport kicks off so it’s unlikely that O’Neil modifications a lot initially of the season.
MATCH ANALYSIS
Individuals could possibly be forgiven for considering that this can find yourself being a sport of Brighton’s assault vs Wolves’ defence. Nevertheless, as Wolves confirmed of their sport towards Man United, they’re equally as able to reducing by the opposition with their nifty dribbles and change of passes.
This sport shall be about numerical superiority within the midfield. Wolves overwhelmed Casemiro within the sport towards United when Mason Mount and Bruno Fernades pushed ahead, leaving the Brazilian on an island.
Because of this, he acquired bypassed repeatedly, and simply, as Wolves bumped into the guts of United’s defence.
This was made doable on account of Gary O’Neil’s unconventional 4-4-2. Mario Lemina and Joao Gomes had been supported by Ait-Nouri, Nunes, Neto, and Sarabia as they overloaded the center.
This shall be tough to do towards Brighton. De Zerbi’s “field midfield” has gained enormous reward from tactical savants and the passing triangles that it creates helps Brighton in luring the opposition press after which enjoying by it. This leaves the defence scrambling.
Nevertheless, even for Brighton, it is going to be tough to do as a result of Wolves are unlikely to press excessive up the pitch. They may retreat into form after shedding the ball, difficult the Seagulls to interrupt them down.
Subsequently, this sport shall be an fascinating tactical battle between two groups whose strengths and weaknesses cancel one another out. In such a sport, a second of particular person brilliance typically finally ends up deciding the destiny of the fixture. That brings us to the following half…
KEY PLAYERS
Matheus Cunha
Wolves have solely made one marquee signing this summer season, a reality which even led Julen Lopetegui to depart the membership. Nevertheless, if the sport towards United was any indication, that signing goes to be transformative.
Matheus Cunha arrived from Atletico Madrid and instantly turned a nightmare for defenders on his first Premier League begin.
He has a fearless model of play. At any time when he picks up the ball, he seeks to run on the defence and scramble their form by beating gamers off the dribble. Solely the ending touches remained towards United as he fluffed a few probabilities. Nevertheless, they had been created by his personal enterprising play, with out which Wolves would have had hassle releasing strain.
Cunha is a one-man counterattack as Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez discovered on matchday one.
He’ll fancy his probabilities in the best channel of Brighton, confronted with Paul van Hecke and James Milner. His trickery and dribbling might give the veteran Milner a headache and De Zerbi might want to devise a plan to safeguard him.
Kaoru Mitoma
How do break down a defence which refuses to come back out of practice to press? By leaving an electrical dribbler on the pitch who can beat gamers and trigger panic of their defensive form.
Electrical dribbles don’t come significantly better than Kaoru Mitoma. The Japanese worldwide had a breakout season final 12 months, notching seven targets and 6 assists within the league. He has began from the place he left off final season.
An help on the opening sport of this season guarantees to be the primary of many as he has been one of many important beneficiaries of De Zerbi’s attacking system.
Identical to Brighton’s proper channel, Wolves’ proper is prone as effectively. Alejandro Garnacho of Manchester United did not take benefit, repeatedly operating right into a cul-de-sac.
Mitoma needs to be completely different. Nelson Semedo is an attack-first defender whereas Craig Dawson, at 33, will not be the quickest off the block. Mario Lemina might want to present safety in any other case Mitoma will run riot.
PREDICTED LINEUPS
Wolves predicted beginning lineup: Sa; Semedo, Killman, Dawson, Ait-Nouri; Lemina, Gomes; Neto, Nunes, Cunha; Sarabia.
Brighton predicted beginning lineup: Steele; Milner, Van Hecke, Dunk, Estupinan; Gross, Dahoud, March; Pedro, Mitoma, Ferguson
