Wolves will hope to stay in the EFL Cup ahead of hosting Everton at Molineux ahead of the third round of this competition.

Wolves have endured a terrible start to the season, with the EFL Cup the only competition able to provide their fans with some joy, making Tuesday’s clash with Everton all the more important. The Midlands side are rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table, as they are yet to achieve even a single point.

In the midst of their terrible start, the club decided to hand Vitor Pereira a new three-year deal, probably as a reward for his tremendous work in keeping the team safe last season. However, the problems from last season why Pereira was brought in specifically, are relevant again, which could add to the pressure on the manager.

At the weekend, Wolves hosted newly promoted Leeds United, and did go in front following the opener through Ladislav Krejci. However, Leeds United roared back into the game with three goals in a span of 14 first-half minutes, with the game eventually ending in a 3-1 reverse defeat for Wolves. The only joy they have found is in the EFL Cup against West Ham in the second round, as Pereira will want something similar against Everton.

Everton played out the Merseyside Derby at Anfield and came out as the losing side. There were moments of controversy in the game, with Moyes as well as many others criticising some refereeing calls as well as the added time at the end of the second half.

One thing that cannot be denied is that Everton took the game to Liverpool in the second half, although the team that conceded two quickfire goals in the first half did all the damage. In the context of their season, this was always a tough fixture, but Moyes will be happy with the seven points from the first five games, given how they began their season with a defeat to newly promoted Leeds United.

Meanwhile, in the EFL Cup, Moyes kicked off the campaign with a win over Mansfield Town, as they also experienced two wins on either side of that game. Of those two victories in the Premier League, Everton also travelled to Molineux and got a 3-2 reverse win over Wolves, which will give Moyes’ side confidence to get a similar outcome to their third round EFL Cup clash there.

Team News & Tactics

Wolves

Vitor Pereira will ring in the changes for the cup clash in a bid to allow some of his regulars some respite. On the injury front, Enso Gonzalez is a long-term absentee, with a return only planned around the new year. Jhon Arias could get a start, while Fer Lopez could retain his place in the attacking setup.

South Korean Hwang Hee-chan is expected to lead the line for Wolves against Everton and replace Tolu Arokodate, while Jorgen Strand Larsen could be given more minutes after playing against Leeds United in the second half.

Sam Johnstone will be used in this clash ahead of No.1 Jose Sa. Santiago Bueno could come in at the back and replace Toti Gomes there, while goalscorer Krejci could sit on the bench as Hugo Bueno might replace him in the side.

Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Johnstone; Mosquera, Agbadou, Santiago Bueno; Rordrigo Gomes, Bellegarde, Andre, Hugo Bueno; Arias, Lopez; Hwang

Everton

The unavailability of Jarrad Branthwaite could continue to force David Moyes to keep using his current centre-backs, James Tarkowski and Michael Keane, in games he would have loved to rotate. However, he could still tweak his backline should he choose to test Jake O’Brien at the heart of the defence, as Seamus Coleman can operate at right-back.

Moyes could use Vitaliy Mykolenko again after his recent return from injury at left-back, while James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam are expected to start in the midfield. There could be some respite for other regulars who have played this season, such as Iliman Ndiaye, with Tyler Digling likely to come into the side in his place.

Carlos Alcaraz is another one, but Jack Grealish could be retained on the left-hand side, with a start for summer arrival Thierno Barry up front for Everton against Wolves.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Travers; Coleman, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Iroegbunam, Garner; McNeil, Alcaraz, Grealish; Barry

Key Stats

• Everton are unbeaten against Wolves in their last three games across all competitions.
• Everton have won three of their last six games across all competitions.
• Wolves have lost 5 of their six games this season across all competitions.
• Wolves’ only win came in the EFL Cup against West Ham United.

Player to Watch

Thierno Barry

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Both teams are in the hunt to progress deep into the EFL Cup, and they will want a win here, but there is pressure on individual players to perform from both ends. One of those is Everton’s summer arrival Barry, with Moyes still preferring Beto to lead his lines in Premier League matches.

Barry is considered a top talent in many important circles, and he will have to take this opportunity in the EFL Cup to make his mark. Hence, this game is important from a performance standpoint, as a goal or two here would help him elevate into the manager’s thinking into letting him start games in the Premier League.

Prediction

Wolves 1-2 Everton

Wolves are currently struggling for relevance in the Premier League, with the EFL Cup offering some level of solace to their otherwise abject performances. Hence, there will be pressure to do well here, which the players have not responded to kindly.

Everton, on the other hand, are coming into this clash after a productive performance against Liverpool, especially in the second half. However, heading into this cup clash, there will be optimism to get a win and move into the next phase, as Moyes will drill his squad to get a win and carry on.