Wolverhampton Wanderers news from Birmingham Live ahead of the pre-season friendly at home to Stade Rennais
Wolves play their final public pre-season friendly today when they take on Stade Rennais (12.45pm), one more chance for Julen Lopetegui to take a look at his side before their Premier League opener against Manchester United on Monday August 14.
So far, Lopetegui’s side have won 1-0 in Porto, drawn 1-1 with Celtic in Dublin and then shared a goalless draw with Luton Town at Molineux on Wednesday night.
The manager made nine changes to the starting line up against Luton from the team that started in Dublin and we can expect a different XI again this weekend as workloads are managed and as many players as possible get the chance to be at their peak for the Premier League opener.
Keeper Josa Sa made way for Dan Bentley in midweek but is likely to return to the starting XI in what could be a clue to the side on the opening day of the season. The right back spot will be interesting, Matt Doherty having done well against Luton when he started in place of Nelson Semedo, but two starts in four days might be pushing things even if Lopetegui is considering Doherty for the Manchester United game.
By the same logic, left back Rayan Ait-Nouri could make way for Hugo Bueno this weekend despite impressing against Luton.
Lopetegui’s options are limited in central defence but we can expect one change with Craig Dawson coming in for either Max Kilman or Toti.
Kilman and midfielder Matheus Nunes are the only players who started both the Celtic and Luton games so could get a rest this weekend. Mario Lemina was missing from the squad against Luton because of illness but, if fit, is likely to return because he will be pencilled in for the Manchester United game.
Joao Gomes returned to the midfield from the start against Luton having been an unused substitute against Celtic following a minor knock. He was partnered in the two holding midfield roles by Boubacar Traore who impressed but one of them will have to make way if Lemina returns.
Lopetegui switched things around in attack on Wednesday with Sasa Kalajdzic starting up front with Fabio Silva playing just off him and Hee Chan Hwang and Nunes to the left and right respectively. Expect at least a couple of changes with in attack with Pablo Sarabia, Pedro Neto and Matheus Cunha potentially on from the start after coming off the bench in midweek.
Predicted Wolves XI vs Stade Rennais: Sa, Semedo, Dawson, Kilman, Bueno, Gomes, Lemina, Sarabia, Silva, Neto, Cunha.
Subs: Bentley, Doherty, Ait-Nouri, Toti, B Traore, Nunes, Hwang, Kalajdzic, Hodge
