Smallbone isn’t the most prolific when it comes to winning fouls (0.49 per 90) but could find himself in the crosshairs of Wolves’s aggressive midfield. Wolves are averaging 13.0 fouls per game in the Premier League this season – only Bournemouth are committing more fouls per game than Vitor Pereira’s side.

Wolves committed 14 fouls in the initial meeting between these sides and are now looking to further the gap between themselves and the relegation zone making this game a crucial one with Ipswich having to navigate and awkward task against an inform Nottingham Forest. 

Smallbone didn’t feature in the initial meeting between these sides at Molineux but is in line to start here following some decent performances against Chelsea and Liverpool, including finding the back of the net at Anfield. Although Smallbone didn’t feature, all three of Southampton’s midfielders in that game were brought down at least once pointing again to the aggressive nature of Wolves’ midfield.

When looking at players that can drag down Smallbone, Joao Gomes stands out as a likely candidate. He’s averaging 2.28 fouls committed per 90 in the Premier League this season which is a record that suggests he will be involved in the midfield battle in this clash. Gomes committed two fouls in Wolves’ 2-0 win over Southampton earlier in the season.

There is decent value in this selection when backing with PaddyPower, the same market is 1.62 elsewhere.