Wolverhampton Wanderers can leapfrog Manchester United in the Premier League table if they claim maximum points in Thursday's contest at Molineux.
The hosts will be seeking revenge against the Red Devils after they suffered a controversial 1-0 defeat in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford back in August last year.
Match preview
© Reuters
Wolves extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to seven matches when they secured a 2-0 victory over rivals West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday, but the Black County derby was marred by crowd trouble at The Hawthorns.
Pedro Neto's first-half opener was followed by a 78th-minute strike from Matheus Cunha, but unsavoury scenes then boiled over in one corner of the ground which forced the contest to be suspended for around 38 minutes. Players were led off the field, including West Brom defender Kyle Bartley who intervened to removed his daughter from the stand.
The FA have since stated that they will investigate the "inexcusable" violence which led to six people being arrested, while several supporters and police officers sustained injuries – one fan was taken away on a stretcher by paramedics and another was seen with blood pouring down his face.
Gary O'Neil condemned the violent scenes that broke out off the field, but he was full of praise for the manner of the performance on the pitch from his Wolves side, who must quicky shift their focus back to the Premier League as they endeavour to build on their strong run of form and climb from 11th place into the top half of the table.
Wolves, who have picked up the second-most points (14) in the Premier League since December 5, will welcome a return to Molineux where they have not lost any of their last eight Premier League home games, beating Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea during this period.
However, the West Midlands outfit have suffered defeat in six of their last seven top-flight encounters with Thursday's opponents Man United, losing each of their last three without reply.
© Reuters
Two weeks after playing out a 2-2 home draw with Spurs in the Premier League, Man United booked their place in the FA Cup fifth round courtesy of an enthralling 4-2 away victory over a spirited Newport County side on Sunday.
After Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo scored inside the opening 13 minutes, the Red Devils appeared to be in cruise control until they were given an almighty scare when their League Two counterparts restore parity with a goal either side of half time. However, Antony's first goal of the season in any competition was followed by a late strike from Rasmus Hojlund to keep alive Man United's slim hopes of lifting silverware this season.
Although Man United have now won two of their last three games, both in the FA Cup against teams at least two divisions below them, the jury is still out on Erik ten Hag as his side's inconsistent form has frustrated much of the club's fanbase; the Red Devils have won just four, drawn three and lost five of their last 12 matches in all tournaments since the end of the November.
Amidst dealing with Marcus Rashford's off-field "disciplinary matter", Ten Hag is tasked with finding the right formula to get the best out of his squad and build a much-needed run of positive results as they attempt to climb from eighth place in the Premier League table towards the European spots.
Man United, who sit only three points behind West Ham United in sixth at the time of writing, enter Thursday's contest with Wolves having lost three of their last four Premier League away games, scoring just one goal in the process, but they have won each of their last three visits to Molineux by an aggregate score of 4-1.
Team News
© Reuters
Wolves are still having to cope without South Korean attacker Hwang Hee-chan and Malian midfielder Boubacar Traore who are away on international duty at the Asian Cup and Africa Cup of Nations respectively, but Joao Gomes is back from suspension.
Pablo Sarabia has emerged as a doubt with a calf injury and will be assessed ahead of kickoff, but Rayan Ait-Nouri is available for selection following Algeria's early exit from AFCON.
O'Neil is unlikely to make too many changes, if any, to the side that beat West Brom last time out, so Manchester City loanee Tommy Doyle is set to link arms once again with Mario Lemina in midfield, while Jean-Ricner Bellegarde joins Neto and Cunha in attack.
As for Man United, Ten Hag will make a late call on whether to select Rashford in his matchday squad after the forward was absent for the win at Newport due to illness following a night out in Belfast – a club statement has confirmed that the "internal disciplinary matter" has since been "closed".
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (unspecified) is also doubtful, while Mason Mount (calf), Anthony Martial, Victor Lindelof (both groin), Tyrell Malacia (knee) and Sofyan Amrabat (international duty) all remain unavailable for selection.
Altay Bayindir made his Red Devils debut in goal against Newport, but the Turkish goalkeeper is set to be replaced between the sticks by first-choice shot-stopper Andre Onana, who is available to return following a disappointing AFCON campaign with Cameroon.
Wolverhampton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Sa; Kilman, Dawson, Toti; Semedo, Lemina, Doyle, Doherty; Bellegarde, Neto; Cunha
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
Onana; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Mainoo, Casemiro; Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund
We say: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 Manchester United
Thirteen of the last 14 meetings between the two teams have either ended as draws or been decided by a one-goal margin, and another tight affair could be on the cards on Thursday.
Wolves have turned up for the big occasions this term and boast an impressive home record, but Man United have a knack of grinding out positive results against the West Midlands club and may do enough to claim a share of the spoils in their latest visit to Molineux.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Oliver Thomas
