Wolves vs Crystal Palace: Super Eagles star Arokodare gets rare Premier League start in big test

Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare has earned a rare Premier League start as Wolves face Crystal Palace in a crucial match that offers the Super Eagles forward a vital opportunity to impress new Wolves boss Rob Edwards.

Edwards, who has recently taken over as Wolves manager, made four changes for his debut match, including starting Arokodare alongside Norwegian striker Jorgen Strand Larsen.

The 24-year-old, who has started just twice in the Premier League since the transfer from Belgian club Genk in a £23 million deal last summer, will be keen to make an impact as Wolves seek to end their dire run of seven winless matches, which includes five consecutive defeats.

The new manager’s tactical system employs a high-pressing 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-1-2 formation, typically favouring two strikers upfront.

Despite earlier reports suggesting Arokodare’s chances of regular starts were limited due to squad hierarchy and tactical preferences, Edwards has found a way to include the Nigerian forward from the start in his first fixture in charge.

Wolves currently sit bottom of the Premier League table with only two points from 11 games, making this clash against Palace critical for their season’s revival.

Arokodare, who dominated the Belgian league last season with 21 goals, has made seven appearances so far this campaign but is yet to score in the English top flight, totalling just 209 minutes on the pitch.

This start offers a big chance for the Nigerian to show his talents and contribute to Wolves’ fight for survival, while fresh management under Edwards brings hope of tactical improvements and better results.

Nigerians and Wolves fans will be watching closely to see if Arokodare can spark a turnaround for the club and secure more consistent playing time.