Strangely enough I have to begin my review of this Sunday’s fixture against Wolves with a look at their at their arch Black Country rivals West Bromwich Albion. A stunning 5-2 win at Stamford Bridge over Tuchel’s Chelsea followed by a 3-0 demolition of Southampton had threatened the kind of revival for the Baggies that had us all wondering whether the Great Escape was on. Fortunately for Burnley on Thursday night at Leicester the West Brom juggernaut came off the rails as Leicester ran out convincing 3-0 winners. We remain 9 points clear of West Brom with just 6 games each to play.

Last December goals from Barnes and Wood helped the Clarets to a 2-1 home victory over Wolves. Their manager Nuno EspÃ*rito Santo was not happy with the performance of referee Lee Mason and talked himself into a £25,000 fine. Wolves come into this weekend’s game on the back of two consecutive 1-0 wins away to Fulham and then home to Sheffield United with Brazilian striker Willian Jose notching his first goal for the club against the Blades. Burnley meanwhile have suffered 3 straight defeats and will be desperate to pick up at least a point from this fixture.

Tactical changes were made for the game at Old Trafford with Chris Wood operating as a loan striker in a 4-4-1-1 formation with Vydra dropping to the bench. Only 2 late goals from Manchester United proved our undoing but I fully expect Dyche to revert to his favoured 4-4-2 for the Wolves game with Vydra returning to the starting line-up. Pope if declared fully fit will replace Peacock-Farrell in goal. Long term absentee Raul Jimenez who fractured his skull last November misses out for Wolves along with injured full back Jonny Castro Otto. Pedro Neto is unavailable for this fixture. Wolves usually play with a back 3 in a 3-4-2-1 formation but however they line up in Sunday’s early kickoff their dangerman is Adama Traore. With his blistering pace and power he is the second most fouled player in the PL after Jack Grealish. His late winner against Fulham demonstrated the constant threat he poses and Burnley will need a plan to contain him. The failure to deal with Saint Maximin when he was brought on by Newcastle at Turf Moor should be a warning for the Clarets.

The match referee is Darren England with Michael Oliver on VAR.

This has been a momentous week in football with the rebel 6 PL clubs who signed up to the European Super League all being forced into a humiliating climb down within 48 hours of the new League being announced. The FA and UEFA will need to take very careful measures to ensure that rich and powerful owners can never again threaten our national game. Both Wolves and Burnley can be proud of their histories as founding members of the football game and their role in maintaining its traditions. I am looking forward to this Sunday’s clash. COYC!