Ipswich v Wolves preview: Will sunshine bring a glow back to Wolves?

Preamble

A trip to Portman Road to face Mick McCarthy's Ipswich Town might not be too high on the wish list after successive defeats.

But that’s the task facing Nuno Espirito Santo’s Wolves this weekend as they look to bounce back from their mini blip.

Three draws and two defeats in their past seven matches in all competitions have led to all and sundry debating what Nuno needs to change to restore Wolves to their pre-Christmas vintage.

The head coach has decided that a week-long break in Marbella and some vitamin D offered the best solution.

A week combining training with relaxation in the 20C warmth (golf and paintballing have been among the squad’s many activities, as well as a visit from Tyson Fury) has ensued.

When they return to England it’ll be at least 10C cooler but as long as Wolves turn the heat up on their opponents Nuno will be happy.

An early goal, playing on the front foot and taking the game to Ipswich will be his priorities, while a goal for Leo Bonatini would help after the Brazilian’s 10-game goalless streak.

Goals of any kind would also be welcome after only one in their last four, or 11 in their last 11. But with their promotion rivals not playing until Tuesday at the earliest owing to FA Cup involvement (Derby travel to Millwall and Villa face a trip to Sheffield United in midweek, while Cardiff don't play until next weekend) it's a great opportunity to extend their lead at the top to 12 points with only 17 games still to play.

Conversely another defeat would give Derby the opportunity to close the gap to six points four days later.

As for Ipswich, they possess the league’s fifth-best home record and need the points to stay in the play-off race, with the Tractor Boys currently six points off the pace in 12th.

It’s not been a busy January in the transfer market for Ipswich but they have signed a man familiar to Wolves fans in ex-midfielder Stephen Gleeson who has joined until the end of the season after leaving Birmingham on a free.

Team news

Ipswich

Ipswich could be without midfielder Cole Skuse who went off injured during last week’s 1-1 draw at Bolton.

Gleeson replaced Skuse in that game and he could make his first start after signing on a free transfer following his exit from Birmingham City.

Wolves

Wolves have Ruben Vinagre back available again after he served a three-match ban for a red card against Swansea.

Only Phil Ofosu-Ayeh, sidelined since the summer with an ankle problem, is absent.

Nuno may be tempted to stick with the same XI despite last week’s defeat. Morgan Gibbs-White has impressed of late and he, Helder Costa, Rafa Mir and Alfred N’Diaye are the likely beneficiaries should the head coach decide to freshen things up.

Predicted line ups

Ipswich (4-2-3-1): Bialkowski; Spence; Carter-Vickers, Chambers, Knudsen; Gleeson, Connolly; Waghorn, McGoldrick, Celina; Garner.

Wolves (3-4-3): John Ruddy; Bennett, Coady, Boly; Doherty, Saiss, Neves, Douglas; Cavaleiro, Bonatini, Jota. Subs: Norris, Batth, Vinagre, N'Diaye, Gibbs-White, Costa, Mir.

Key players

Ipswich

Bersant Celina: Mercurial midfielder who has starred on loan from Manchester City this season, netting eight times in 27 appearances including a couple of spectacular strikes. Mick McCarthy recently said of the 21-year-old Kosovo international: “He works his socks off, but that stuff that he produces is God-given and practised.”

Wolves

Leo Bonatini: Attacking inspiration is in short supply of late and Bontini hasn’t scored since December 4. If those things change tomorrow, Wolves should thrive. The Brazilian is crucial to how Wolves play in the final third but he'll know he needs to start finding the scoresheet again.

Past five meetings

December 23, 2017 (Ch): Wolves 1 (Cavaleiro 40) Ipswich 0

March 7, 2017 (Ch): Ipswich 0 Wolves 0

August 16, 2016 (Ch): Wolves 0 Ipswich 0

April 2, 2016 (Ch): Wolves 0 Ipswich 0

November 21, 2015 (Ch): Ipswich 2 (Douglas 16, Murphy 54) Wolves 2 (Henry 38, Afobe 75)