Predicted Wolves side to play Birmingham City: Hause to find a home?

Follow us on Google Discover

Here is how we expect Wolverhampton Wanderers to line-up against Birmingham City in Friday night’s Championship clash.

To be played on Friday 24th February 2017 at 20:45. Venue: Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton

Odds: Wolves 5/6, Draw 5/2, Birmingham 10/3

Wolverhampton Wanderers host an out of form Birmingham City on Friday evening – with Molineux manager Paul Lambert expected to hand a starting spot to Kortney Hause.

The 21-year-old impressed during Wolves’ recent FA Cup tie against Liverpool and looks set to dislodge Richard Stearman as captain Danny Batth’s central defensive partner. In a further boost to Lambert’s defensive selections, Mike Williamson seems available for consideration and new signing Ben Marshall edging ever closer to match fitness.

Indeed, Marshall is expected to start at right back against Birmingham, with Batth, Hause and left back Matt Doherty completing a back four governed by the newest member of Wolves’ 200 club, goalkeeper Carl Ikeme.

Lambert’s 4-2-3-1 system is likely to see Dave Edwards and Lee Evans anchor the midfield – with the latter continuing his return to first team action following a long absence with a groin issue.

Standout Helder Costa is fully expected to start as part of an attacking midfield trio alongside Bright Enobakhare and Andreas Weimann – with the lone forward role being afforded to Jon Dadi Bodvarsson ahead of Nouha Dicko.

Meanwhile, it is anticipated that Birmingham City will call upon former Wolves man David Davis as part of a combative midfield including Craig Gardner, Stephen Gleeson and Maikel Kieftenbeld.

Blues manager Gianfranco Zola may turn to a strike duo of Lukas Jutkiewicz and Jerome Sinclair to add goals to a side that has secured just one Championship victory under Zola’s tutelage.

Here is the predicted line-up for both Wolverhampton Wanderers and Birmingham City, in full: