Wolves are in action tonight against Blackpool in the Carabao Cup – and it’s a chance for Gary O’Neil to perhaps get a look at some of his fringe players.
Wanderers head into the game after beating Everton in the Premier League on Saturday.
Sasa Kalajdzic’s late header gave Wolves a much-needed win, and spirits are high after the result.
Tonight Wolves host League One side Blackpool, who have had a pretty mediocre start to the new season.
They currently sit 15th in the table after five games, having won one, drawn three and lost one.
Like Wolves, they have struggled to score goals; they have managed just two so far in the league.
But defensively they aren’t too bad, having shipped just three.
Undoubtedly, they will be wanting to cause an upset tonight at Molineux…
Predicted Wolves XI to face Blackpool in the Carabao Cup – Boubacar Traore and Pablo Sarabia come in as O’Neil makes eight changes from weekend
O’Neil will surely be inclined to give some minutes to players that have not featured much in the Premier League so far.
We could well see Dan Bentley in goal with Jose Sa to be rested after his heroics against Everton.
Matt Doherty is fairly likely to be given a chance at right-back, and Toti Gomes is probably going to come into the backline.
As captain, Max Kilman could keep his place, and then it really is a toss up between Hugo Bueno and Rayan Ait-Nouri at left-back. Perhaps Ait-Nouri will get the nod since Bueno got 85 minutes on Saturday.
In midfield, Joe Hodge and Boubacar Traore will surely come in for their first starts of the season.
And it’s possible the energetic Joao Gomes could feature in there too, with Mario Lemina to be rested
Wolves’ frontline will be interesting.
Sasa Kalajdzic scored the winner against Everton, but he may still not be fully ready to start.
Perhaps O’Neil will go with Fabio Silva through the middle, with Kalajdzic to come on in the second-half and get more minutes than he did against Everton.
Maybe the Austrian could then be considered for a start against Crystal Palace depending on how he gets on.
O’Neil surely wants Silva to get on the scoresheet soon, and this game is a very good opportunity to do so. It’s a chance for Silva to gain confidence.
Silva could be supported by Pablo Sarabia and Pedro Neto.
Sarabia came off the bench against Everton and is probably fairly fresh. And Neto looks lively at the moment and O’Neil may hope to get the Portuguese winger to build some momentum.
As with Silva, this game is a good opportunity for Sarabia to really get going.
The Spaniard, who signed for Wolves for just over £4 million, had a productive pre-season, but is still looking for that top performance.
Hopefully, it will be a comfortable win tonight for Wolves. But as always in cup competitions, nothing can be taken for granted.
Blackpool know Wolves have had a tough start like them, and will fancy a giant-killing.
Wolves (4-3-3): Bentley/Doherty, Kilman, Toti, Ait-Nouri/Traore, Hodge, J.Gomes/Sarabia, Silva, Neto.