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Wolves will take on Port Vale in the first round of the Carabao Cup on Friday night, as Cesar Peixoto takes charge of the hosts for the first time in a competitive match.
Following relegation last season, the match marks the first time in nine years that Wolves will play in the first round of the competition.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Wolves vs Port Vale key stats
- Wolves have won three of their four pre-season matches this summer.
- Port Vale haven't beaten Wolves in a competitive match since 1998.
- Wolves have kept a clean sheet in three of their four matches under Peixoto so far.
Wolves vs Port Vale preview: Dawn of a new era
Wolves vs Port Vale — Tale of the Tape
| Wolves | vs | Port Vale |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | Position | N/A |
| N/A | Points | N/A |
| N/A | Goals For | N/A |
| N/A | Goals Against | N/A |
| N/A | Clean Sheets | N/A |
| N/A | Home / Away Rank | N/A |
Back in the Championship after years of selling their star players and refusing to replace them, Wolves are set to embark on a new era under a highly-rated Portuguese first team coach.
Relegation last season didn't come as a surprise to anyone, as the Old Gold had been just about surviving in the top tier for a number of years beforehand.
While Wolves realistically have no chance of winning the Carabao Cup this season, this match is important for the club as they look to keep supporters on side ahead of a gruelling campaign.
A defeat to a League Two side, particularly one nearby, would be a horror start, so Peixoto is expected to play his strongest possible XI, which could mean a first start for Raul Jimenez since his return to Molineux.
As for Port Vale, this is effectively a free hit to get a win over a side that were competing in the Premier League and Europa League not long ago.
Like Wolves, Port Vale also tasted relegation last season, meaning another season in the fourth tier of English football awaits after finishing seven points adrift of safety in their first season back in League One.
Jon Brady remains in charge after being brought in back in January when relegation was already all but guaranteed. The Australian will now be judged on whether he can get the Valiants back out of League Two at the first time of asking.
The signs across pre-season have been overwhelmingly positive, with four wins from four matches, so there will be belief within the camp that they can give Wolves a proper game.
Wolves vs Port Vale form guide & betting tips
| Wolves | vs | Port Vale |
|---|---|---|
D
W
L
W
W |
Form |
L
W
W
W
W
|
| 8 | Goals For | 10 |
| 2 | Goals Against | 3 |
N/A |
Carabao Cup | N/A |
Whispers predicts: Wolves 2-0 Port Vale
Wolves should have too much quality for Port Vale, provided they take the match seriously and field the likes of Jimenez and Kieran Trippier. Wolves to win to nil has been priced at 11/10.
Fewer than three goals have been scored in three of Port Vale's last five competitive matches. Under 2.5 goals has been priced at 6/4.
Raul Jimenez, who played and scored at this summer's World Cup, is at least a couple of levels above the Port Vale defence. Jimenez to score anytime is priced at 1/1.
> Wolves to win to nil at 11/10 (2.10) | Likelihood: Probable
> Under 2.5 goals at 6/4 (2.50) | Likelihood: Possible
> Jimenez to score anytime at 1/1 (2.00) | Likelihood: Possible