Express & Star

Preview: Sheffield Wednesday v Wolves

Game by game, step by step – that's the Wolves mantra and it isn't changing.

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Whoever the opponent, whatever the situation, Nuno Espirito Santo and his players consistently repeat the same assertions.

It's certainly working for them so far and with a hectic festive period of four games in 11 days on the horizon Nuno isn't looking at tonight's trip to Sheffield Wednesday in any other way.

The Owls are winless in five, while Wolves have won six of their past seven.

But not underestimating opponents is another staple of Wolves' early success this season and Nuno was keen to point that out again yesterday.

"We cannot forget that in the last two seasons they were involved in the play-offs," Nuno said of the Owls, who currently sit 15th in the Championship.

"They have a good manager (Carlos Carvalhal), someone I know very well.

"Two seasons in a row in the play-offs says a lot about Carlos’ work.

"(But) we don’t look at the table, it doesn’t mean anything.

"We look at our opponent, we analyse the things they do and put in the pitch the things that we want.

"It’s going to be 100 per cent each game (over Christmas), no matter how many days (between games). We are ready to go for each game."

While Nuno plays down the significance of the opposition, he and his backroom staff meticulously research the strength and weaknesses of all Wolves' opponents.

Goalkeeper John Ruddy says Nuno's hard work is a key factor behind Wolves' rise to the top of the table.

"I think he works extremely hard, that's a given for any manager or player in football," Ruddy said.

"He's certainly putting the hours in in terms of the videos and analysis and seeing where the weaknesses are of other teams. It's paying dividends."

Wolves earned four points against Blues and Sunderland in their past two games but their performance levels dipped from recent high standards.

Ruddy suggested that may have to change tonight.

"Every game brings a different challenge," he said.

"Sheffield Wednesday will be a tough game, they have some very good individuals, and then Ipswich and Millwall after that will be very different.

"We need to make sure we're stepping up to the plate every week.

"With the greatest respect to Birmingham and Sunderland, they're a level up. Sunderland have certainly got the players but have had a bad start, Birmingham the same with Cotterill.

"Sheffield Wednesday have a certain style and it'll be really tough but as the boss says it's all about what we do, how we implement our game plan on them and take advantage of the chances that come our way."

Barry Douglas misses the game with a knock he picked up against Sunderland.

Predicted line ups

Sheff Wed (4-4-2): Westwood; Palmer, Loovens, Van Aken, Fox; Wallace, Jones, Bannan, Reach; Rhodes, Hooper.

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

Key player

Sheff Wed – Gary Hooper: The 29-year-old is in a rich vein of form having netted 11 times in 22 appearances this season.

Wolves – Ivan Cavaleiro: Wolves lacked their usual vitality from the flanks in last weekend’s 0-0 draw with Sunderland but Ivan Cavaleiro should enjoy more freedom here.

Last five meetings

January 2, 2017 (Ch): Sheff Wed 0 Wolves 0

November 26, 2016 (Ch): Wolves 0 Sheff Wed 2 (Forestieri pen 15, Lee 29)

May 7, 2015 (Ch): Wolves 2 (Turner OG 7, Saville 35) Sheff Wed 1 (McGugan pen 90)

December 20, 2015 (Ch): Sheff Wed 4 (Forestieri pen 20, 25, Pudil 59, Hooper 90) Wolves 1 (Afobe pen 16)

March 17, 2015 (Ch): Wolves 3 (Sako pen 18, Afobe 55, Henry 67) Sheff Wed 0