An FA Cup clash takes center stage at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday afternoon as Wolves face Bournemouth.
Last weekend, Wolves celebrated a 1-0 Premier League victory over Bournemouth, with Matheus Cunha’s first-half goal securing the win. The result lifted them five points clear of the relegation zone. However, Vitor Pereira’s side couldn’t build on that momentum, as Fulham defeated them 2-1 on Tuesday.
Luckily, losses for Ipswich Town and Leicester City meant the gap remained at five points, highlighting that survival in the Premier League is the primary focus.
As Wolves prepare for their FA Cup encounter with Bournemouth, Pereira’s lineup could be influenced by their long-term goal of securing top-flight safety.
Vitor Pereira prioritizes Premier League survival over FA Cup success
A busy football schedule has resulted in multiple injuries for Wolves, with Emmanuel Agbadou, Goncalo Guedes, Rodrigo Gomes, and Carlos Forbs unavailable this weekend.
On a positive note, Gomes was seen training on Thursday, and Hwang Hee-chan has returned to contention after recovering from injury. However, despite the return of Hwang, Pereira remains concerned about injuries, which may affect his team selection.
When asked whether he’d field a full-strength lineup against Bournemouth, Pereira shared his concerns with the E&S: “My worries are about injuries. I have three or four players on the limit, and the next game is crucial for us. Bournemouth is important, but the next one is very, very, very important. I can’t afford more injuries, so I need to balance things carefully, either from the start or during the game.”
After facing Bournemouth, Wolves will play Everton, Southampton, and Ipswich Town in three of their next four matches—key fixtures that could ultimately determine their survival in the Premier League.
Wolves’ bigger worry is Ipswich Town, not Leicester City
With a five-point buffer, Wolves have some breathing room in the relegation fight, but, as Pereira mentioned, complacency is not an option, which is why Premier League form takes priority over FA Cup aspirations.
Fortunately, their rivals have struggled. Leicester lost 2-0 to West Ham on Thursday, and Ipswich narrowly fell to Manchester United. Leicester have lost 11 of their last 12 league matches and face tough games against Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, and Newcastle United in their next four, meaning they are unlikely to pick up any points.
Ipswich, on the other hand, will face Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, and then a crucial clash with Wolves. Pereira will likely be more concerned about Ipswich, with that April encounter possibly being a decisive match in both teams’ seasons.
‘The worries…’: Pereira drops big Wolves selection hint vs Bournemouth as clear problems emerge
