The Max O'Leary factor West Brom need for derby win vs Wolves
Max O'Leary will be pivotal in the Black Country derby between West Bromwich Albion and Wolves on Sunday.
The Baggies travel to Molineux on 20 September in what will certainly be a hostile environment in WV1.
After Wolves were relegated last season, this is the first time the two will meet in a league game since the 2020-21 season.
Back then, West Brom and Wolves were still in the Premier League, but now they are competing for promotion from the Championship.
Harry Whitwell and Isaac Price have taken most of the plaudits at Albion at the start of the campaign, but the goalkeeper deserves plenty of credit as well.
The Republic of Ireland international has brought stability in between the sticks at The Hawthorns, which was missing for a considerable period after Alex Palmer's departure and he could be a game-changer for James Morrison in the upcoming fixture.
Why all eyes will be on Max O'Leary vs Wolves
O'Leary has enjoyed an impressive spell at West Brom, making some impressive saves for Morrison's team.
The goalkeeper has rightfully staked his claim as the number one at The Hawthorns, making 3.1 saves per game in the Championship this season, with a success rate of 76 per cent, as per Sofascore.
O'Leary has conceded seven goals, with a 100 per cent success rate for successful runs out, averaging one per game.
The standout trait of the 29-year-old shot-stopper is his goals-prevented score of 1.62, highlighting his importance in the backline.
Wolves are the third-highest top scorers in the Championship this season, and O'Leary will need to have a big say in keeping them out on Sunday.
The three Wolves players West Brom need to look out for
Cesar Peixoto has had a mixed start to the campaign with Wolves, who will certainly be fighting for automatic promotion to the Premier League.
The Portuguese manager was appointed in the summer and still needs to win over fans in WV1, and a victory over West Brom will certainly do that.
Fer Lopez has been one of the standouts at Molineux under Peixoto and the Baggies will need to keep him in check.
The 21-year-old left-footed Spanish playmaker mostly occupies spaces in the right side of the opposition half, scoring three goals and providing two assists in six league matches.
Marshall Munetsi is one of the experienced heads in Wolves' engine room, capable of covering the length of the pitch.
Rodrigo Gomes has complemented Lopez's qualities from the right-wing and the Albion's defence will need to lock him down to get a positive result in the Black Country derby.