Wolves face Newcastle United tonight in the Premier League, with manager Vitor Pereira facing key decisions about his starting lineup.
After a disappointing loss to Nottingham Forest in their last league outing, Wolves will be aiming to bounce back. However, their morale was lifted by a weekend FA Cup victory over Bristol City, a result Pereira will hope to build on.
In a positive update from Pereira’s pre-match press conference, Matheus Cunha, Nelson Semedo, and Craig Dawson have all been declared fit, while Mario Lemina is also in contention.
The availability of Cunha and Semedo is especially encouraging, but it could mean changes in the lineup, including a potential benching for Hwang Hee-chan.
Hwang Hee-chan’s Record Against Newcastle
Hwang Hee-chan might find himself on the bench tonight, though he has a strong track record against Newcastle.
It’s been a challenging season for the South Korean forward, who has struggled to replicate last season’s form. With just two goals in the 2024/25 campaign, Hwang has often looked out of confidence, leading to ineffective performances for Wolves.
Despite this, Newcastle remains a team he’s excelled against. In six appearances against the Magpies, Hwang has scored four goals, including two in his first games against them at Molineux. If called upon, he could still be a threat, even as a substitute.
Criticism and Support for Hwang
Hwang’s recent struggles have not gone unnoticed, and his performance against Bristol City drew criticism from some supporters.
Pereira substituted him in the second half of the FA Cup tie, and some fans sarcastically cheered his departure. After the game, there were even calls on social media for the club to sell him.
Journalist Liam Keen came to Hwang’s defense in a video for Shots TV, saying:
“I think he’s been unfairly disrespected. A lot of it is on social media. I think quite a lot of it is hurtful to a player that is a good character and someone who is a good player who wants to do well for the team.
“I do think he’s been very unfairly targeted at times. But I can’t defend the performance he put in against Bristol City.”
What to Expect Tonight
While Hwang has often delivered against Newcastle, his current form and the return of key players make it unlikely he will start tonight.
However, he could still have a role to play off the bench, particularly against a side where he has enjoyed notable success.
Wolves will be hoping the return of their injured players, combined with a strong performance from their squad, can help them secure a crucial result at Molineux.
