Fulham face a huge game against Wolves on Monday night in the Premier League and Marco Silva’s team selection is going to be very interesting.
Silva provided an update on his squad’s availability ahead of their return following the final international break of 2023.
Fulham fans were already aware of one glaring omission from the team before the Portuguese manager provided a fitness update.
Joao Palhinha picked up his fifth yellow card of the campaign against Aston Villa, meaning he’s banned for tomorrow’s match.
The 28-year-old is still on Bayern Munich’s radar although you wonder if his disciplinary record is something that might put them off.
Without Palhinha last season, Fulham’s record was awful and Wolves are not going to be an easy team to face without him.
Gary O’Neil has built his club’s recent success on a strong midfield three, meaning whoever comes in for Palhinha has to be on top of their game.
There are other questions that Silva has to answer such as who will start in attack.
Raul Jimenez finally got off the mark against Aston Villa but as one of the lowest-scoring teams in the Premier League, other players need to chip in to help the strikers out.
There could be a change in defence too with two players returning to full fitness over the international break.
Fulham predicted team to face Wolves
There are no surprises that Bernd Leno will once again start in goal tomorrow.
The German has been brilliant this season although not quite at the heights he reached last year.
At the back, Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson will return on the left-hand side after a decent showing for the USA.
There could be two changes on the right though, with Kenny Tete and Tosin Adarabioyo fit again.
Fulham have missed having a right-footed player next to Ream and Tosin should come back into the team against Wolves.
Harrison Reed is likely to come in to replace the suspended Palhinha and he should start alongside Alex Iwobi and Andreas Pereira.
Jimenez should retain his place in attack with Willian who didn’t travel on international duty.
That might determine who starts on the other wing, with Bobby De Cordova-Reid returning from a long trip with Jamaica that might see Harry Wilson come in.
Rodrigo Muniz is still unavailable with Silva saying he should be back next month: “It won’t take a long time, we believe, but we have to take care of him. Rodrigo, let’s hope we have him back from the middle of December.”
After wins for Luton and Bournemouth tomorrow, Fulham need three points to open up the gap over the bottom five once again.
Everton will be on the charge after their points deduction too making this season suddenly much more nervy.