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Football London
Football London
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Uzzi Majid

The inside view on Wolves as Brentford face another difficult challenge against Bruno Lage

Brentford return to home soil for the second time in three days when they welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to TW8 tomorrow afternoon.

The Bees come into the contest on the back of three successive defeats in the league, and it doesn't get any easier ahead of this weekend.

Their opponents, Wolves, have enjoyed an impressive season so far and will be looking to inflict more misery on Thomas Frank's side when they go head-to-head on Saturday.

We spoke to Birmingham Live football writer Alex Dicken to get the lowdown on Bruno Lage's side ahead of tomorrow's meeting.

Wolves have had a great season and start to 2022, winning all their games so far. What changes has Bruno Lage implemented since he's arrived?

Lage has changed a few key details but, most importantly, he's resisted the urge to change everything. Wolves defend with a much higher line now, which allows them to press more effectively. Everyone who has watched Wolves this season will agree they are far more adept in possession too. They are now capable of dominating possession and creating chances, which wasn't the case before Lage.

Brentford are a wounded animal at the moment, does this play into Bruno Lage's hands?

The beauty of this Wolves team is that they are capable of winning games playing in different ways. They tend to have more of the ball these days, but they still have players who can be devastating on the counter-attack.

Wolves will be out for revenge against Brentford. The Bees are one of two teams who have convincingly beat Wolves this season - the other being Crystal Palace - so Lage's side have a score to settle.

Who has been the standout performer(s) for Wolves this season?

I'll start with goalkeeper Jose Sa, who has been absolutely sensational since replacing Rui Patricio. He takes chances with the ball at his feet, but Sa is instrumental to the way Lage wants to play. He has eight clean sheets this season, six of which have arrived in his last nine Premier League games.

Max Kilman has been outstanding too, and there isn't a better English centre-back in the Premier League at the moment. It's only a matter of time before he joins up with England.

Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho have been excellent in midfield, while wing-backs Nelson Semedo and Rayan Ait-Nouri are in top form.

But the key attacking player for Wolves right now is Daniel Podence, who has been electric since returning to the starting XI a month ago. He will play on the left of Wolves' front three and most of their attacking play will go through him.

What weaknesses could Brentford look to exploit?

Wolves have conceded three goals in 10 matches. One of those goals was a 94th-minute winner for free-scoring Liverpool, one was a shocking penalty decision for Manchester City, and the other was a scorching 35-yard free-kick from James Ward-Prowse. With a bit of luck, Wolves would have kept 10 consecutive clean sheets.

In most of their recent games, they have rarely looked like conceding. There has been an enforced change on the left side of defence after Romain Saiss headed off to AFCON with Morocco. Lage handed a debut to Toti Gomes against Southampton last weekend and he could keep his place. With inexperienced duo Toti and Ait-Nouri both on Wolves' left side, that could be an area Brentford target.

Score prediction?

The way Wolves are playing right now it's difficult to see anything other than another win for Lage's team. I'm going to say 2-0 Wolves.

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