Wolverhampton Wanderers entertain fifth place Coventry City on a three match unbeaten run, but still very much under performing.
After two consecutive draws, Mick McCarthy’s men desperately need a win to re affirm their pre season standing as promotion hopefulls and lift the air of uncertainty currently hanging over Molineux.
The manager knows they can do better and so do the players. The fans are close to demanding it.
No one likes to lose a midlands derby, but a win in this one in particular will be cause for much celebrations at Olofin Towers.
Goodbye, blue sky, goodbye.
Darren Potter may miss out after straining a knee in training on Thursday.
Other than that, Mick McCarthy has no new injury worries ahead of Saturday and looks set to name yet another unchanged side.
Which would mean yet another place on the bench for 1.5 m striker Freddy Eastwood.
Put on a display of sublime skill for teh first half last week, but suffered from lack of supply in the second. GIven that much freedom at home against City and he is highly likely to make them pay.
Iain Dowie has only two concerns with Jay Tabb and Gary Borrowdale likely to face late fritness tests after suffering knocks against Blackpool last weekend.
If either fail, David McNamee or Kevin Thornton will step in to deputise.
With seven goals to his name already, Misfud has proved to be a handful for everydefence he’s faced. Wolves central pairing will do well to deny him an opportunity, and if not, could be made to suffer
In 59 meetings, Coventry have come out on top 27 times, with 13 draws in this midlands derby.
In 1977 a Mick Ferguson hat trick cancelled out a superb Ken Hibbitt strike at Molineux, breaking the heart of a ten year old boy on his birthday, and ensuring a pathological hatred of all things Sky Blue.
And Chocolate brown, surely the worst offence against football sartorial elegance ever commited.
Next up is the key International break, followed by the visit of newly relegated Charlton Athletic.