Wolverhampton vs Burnley: Team news, prediction and preview, as Nuno Espirito hopes to add to Sean Dyche woes
SunSport brings you all you need to know about the Premier League clash this weekend
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WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS host Burnley on Sunday as the Premier League returns this weekend.
Sean Dyche’s men are still looking for a first league victory this season with an unsuccessful Europa League challenge taking its toll on the Clarets' form.
Wolves have impressed since promotion to the English elite and won their first match before the international break, beating West Ham 1-0.
Key man
Joao Moutinho was, alongside his countryman Rui Patricio, arguably the biggest name to join Wolves ahead of their Premier League comeback.
He has lived up to his fame and is now a stellar figure in Nuno Espirito’s team.
The 32-year-old midfielder penalised Manchester City with a pinpoint cross that Willy Boly headed home giving Wolves a point against the champions.
Moutinho also initiated a counter-attack that led to Wolves’ late goal and secured a dramatic win against West Ham, precisely threading the ball from the middle of the park.
His vision and passing skills will be key against tough Burnley defenders.
Fashion victim
When gesticulating on the sideline or giving a post-match interview, it is difficult not to have a glance at Nuno’s characteristic beard.
It is not as neatly trimmed as Oliver Giroud’s one, giving the Frenchman an edge in Premier League’s “best beard” competition, but gives Nuno extra charm in addition to his great coaching skills.
Some might say the beard makes him look like an older Pep Guardiola. Even though Nuno is actually three years younger.
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The stat that matters
Burnley conceded only 1.03 goals per game in the Premier League last season.
In the current campaign, Sean Dyche’s side struggles defensively and concedes twice as often - 2.25 goals per match.
What the managers said
Nuno was delighted after Wolves' victory over West Ham, saying: “The win was special for the boys because we didn’t change since day one – and for us, day one was last season.
“We play the same way and do the same things. We tried to create solutions, the players are improving, and things will happen naturally, it is a growing process."
Speaking after Burnley’s defeat to Manchester United, Sean Dyche admitted his side felt fatigue having played in both Premier League and three Europa League qualifying rounds at the beginning of the season.
"I think we're finding our feet a bit. It's game 10 for us of a squad of roughly 17 at any given time.
"When some sides are hurting a little bit they often come out and performance, and I though United did today, particularly in the early phase of the game.”
How can I watch Wolves vs Burnley live?
Coverage of the game starts at 12:30 on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.
If you're not a Sky customer, you can stream all the action live on Now TV with a Sports Pass costing £7.99. .
You can also keep on top of all the action with The Sun's live blog.
Likely line-ups
Wolverhampton: Patricio, Bennet, Coady, Boly, Jonny, Neves, Moutinho, Doherty, Jota, Costa, Jimenez
Burnley: Hart, Bardsley, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor, Lennon, Westwood, Cork, McNeil, Hendrick, Vokes
Prediction
Wolves seem to be growing more and more confident with every matchday passing by. 2-1 to Wolverhampton.