Preview

 

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's pre-season clash between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Alaves, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Wolverhampton Wanderers will continue their pre-season schedule with a fixture against Spanish outfit Alaves on Wednesday.

While the Premier League side have posted convincing wins in their opening two friendlies this summer, Alaves only started their list of games at the weekend.

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Match preview

There have been times this summer when Wolves fans have understandably been left frustrated by their club's activity - or lack of - in the transfer market.

However, less than three weeks before the new campaign, the West Midlands outfit have posted two dominant friendly victories and won the race to sign a highly-regarded defender.

Bruno Lage will want to see more fresh additions follow the acquisition of Nathan Collins, but the Portuguese will now be relatively content with the state of play at Molineux ahead of trying to improve on last season's 10th-placed finish.

Wolves' wins over Forest Green Rovers and Burnley have come behind closed doors, and the West Midlands outfit will now complete their schedule with five games in Spain and Portugal.

The likes of Besiktas and Sporting Lisbon are still to follow, but Lage will first want to see Wolves get the better of opponents who were recently relegated from La Liga.

Finishing eight points adrift of safety in Spain's top flight has brought a reality check to Alaves, who must now try to earn an instant return.

A host of senior players from 2021-22 have departed the club, leaving new head coach Luis Garcia with the task of trying to put together a squad capable of regain their La Liga status at the first time of asking.

A notable addition is that of Liverpool loanee Anderson Arroyo, who made 39 appearances for Mirandes in Spain's second tier during the last campaign.

Alaves started their summer schedule at the weekend, posting a 1-1 draw with Burgos before emerging victorious in a penalty shootout.

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Team News

With each of Wolves' two friendlies having taken place out of the public eye, it remains unclear how Lage may line up for this fixture.

Collins could start among the replacements after only signing for the club last Tuesday, while Chiquinho will miss much of the season courtesy of the ACL injury that he sustained earlier this month.

Adama Traore, who could depart Molineux before the end of August, will also be absent from the squad having picked up a hamstring issue.

Garcia may be prepared to name the same starting XI from Alaves' meeting with Burgos at the weekend.

Former Newcastle United defender Florian Lejeune is the notable name in the team, while Arroyo could come into the mix after missing out at the weekend.

Wolverhampton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Sa; Kilman, Coady, Toti; Semedo, Dendoncker, Moutinho, Ait-Nouri; Neto, Podence; Jimenez

Alaves possible starting lineup:
Sivera; Tenaglia, Sedlar, Lejeune, Lopez, Sevilla, Benavidez, Abde, Alkain, Miguel, Hara

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We say: Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 Alaves

Although the game is taking place in Spain, we cannot look past Wolves for this contest. Lage's side have already gotten in plenty of fitness work this summer, and they could outlast their opponents over the course of this fixture.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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