Tottenham handed huge boost as Wolves appear to confirm starting XI well ahead of kick-off

Tottenham Hotspur will take on Wolves this afternoon with the huge boost of already knowing the likely starting XI that Vitor Pereira will field at Molineux this afternoon.

All eyes will be on the Wolves starting XI with star man Matheus Cunha available for selection again having served his four match suspension for a red card picked up during the FA Cup fifth round defeat to Bournemouth last month. The 25-year-old clashed with Cherries defender Milos Kerkez in extra time in that match and was given his marching orders ahead of the penalty shootout.

The FA then charged the talisman with improper conduct and his ban extended. A statement read: “An Independent Regulatory Commission has imposed a one-match suspension and £50,000 fine on Matheus Cunha.

“The Wolverhampton Wanderers forward was charged with acting in an improper manner after he was sent off around the 121st minute of their FA Cup tie against AFC Bournemouth on Saturday 1 March.

“The player subsequently admitted the charge. The Regulatory Commission imposed his sanctions following a hearing, and its written reasons for them will be published in due course. Matheus Cunha will now be suspended from domestic football until Sunday 13 April.”

Vitor Pereira teases Matheus Cunha decision

Cunha has 13 goals in the Premier League this season and five in his last six across all competitions before the red card. However, speaking ahead of the Tottenham Hotspur clash, Pereira appeared to confirm that he would field the same XI that beat Ipswich Town last time out.

Despite being without their talisman, Wolves have won three and drawn one in their last four Premier League outings, picking up 10 points from a possible 12 to now sit 12 points clear of the relegation zone.

Pereira said: “He’s committed, working and preparing himself to help the team. But we won the last three games playing consistently, tactically and mentally, it’s fair to keep going with the same team.

“This is my opinion. This is football. This is commitment. This is leadership. And Matheus will come to help us. He's committed, he understands, I had a conversation with him, but I will play with the same team.”

Wolves hint at starting XI to take on Tottenham Hotspur

That means that Jørgen Strand Larsen will once again lead the line for Wolves. The Norwegian has four goals in his last three Premier League matches and also scored the equaliser in the 2-2 draw against Spurs earlier this season.

If Pereira does indeed name an unchanged Wolves starting XI, the side to face Tottenham Hotspur will be: Jose Sa, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Toti Gomes, Emmanuel Agbadou, Matt Doherty, Nathan Semedo, Andre, Joao Gomes, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Marshall Munetsi and Jørgen Strand Larsen.

Previewing the Wolves clash, Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou said: “Yeah, good challenge, they're a good side and I think they've sort of stabilised in recent times and especially at their place, we had a tough game at their place last year as well and that's why I think it's good preparation for us.

“I think we need to be again at the levels we need to be in the Premier League to get an outcome. We want to get another positive result. We obviously won last week and we want to keep that going and have momentum building into Thursday, so good challenge for us, but one we're up for.”

In other news, Tottenham are in 'talks' with a £50m defender as a former Arsenal man is appointed.