Preview: Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Gillingham – prediction, team news, lineups

Wolverhampton Wanderers Returning to the action on Tuesday evening as Julen Lopetegui takes on his first significant game in the EFL Cup Draw in the fourth round Gillingham.

At a time when the home side are bottom of the Premier League table, Gillingham occupy the same position in the second tier.

game preview

Wolves and Julen Lopetegui, four points adrift of safety in the top flight, have concerns for the future but Tuesday’s encounter with Gillingham feels like the start of a new era.

If reports are to be believed, the Spaniard intends to go on a contract tour with some high-profile names in January to arrive at Molineux, seemingly kicking off the process of buying younger players with the potential to sell them for a profit in later years turns his head .

The Wolves have a restart that is as important as it is challenging. After that game, they face Everton, Manchester United and Aston Villa before heading to Liverpool in the FA Cup.

However, for now at least, Lopetegui will be focused on taking Wolves to their first EFL Cup quarterfinals in 27 years.

Ahead of that game, Wolves have played Empoli and Cadiz in friendlies and drawn against the Italian side before enduring a thriller with the La Liga team in a 4-3 result.

©Reuters

Of Neil HarrisFrom the EFL’s perspective, this encounter is on the club’s list of priorities at a time when they are struggling to stay in the EFL.

Gillingham are currently bottom of the fourth tier, although some of the teams above them have a match in hand and are just a point off 21st place.

However, this squad is recovering well after a few postponements and will see this as an opportunity to potentially set up a money-making tie in the last eight.

Gillingham are already in that position after being drawn at home to Leicester City in the FA Cup third round, arguably taking the pressure off this competition as they know there is already extra revenue coming through the door.

The Kent side also showed in the last round they are capable of overcoming Premier League opponents on away turf, coming from behind to eventually defeat Brentford on penalties.

Wolverhampton Wanderers EFL Cup Form:

Form of Wolverhampton Wanderers (all competitions):

Gillingham EFL Cup Form:

Gillingham form (all competitions):

Team News

©Reuters

During the World Cup break, Lopetegui has been experimenting with a back three and a back four, with the latter likely to be used for this competition.

First choice goalkeeper Jose Sat could overtake the nod Matija Sarkic between the posts after failing to accumulate playing time at the World Cup with Portugal.

However, Ruben Neve and Matheus Nunes can start under the substitutes and give chances Boubacar Traore and Joe Hodgeduring Diego Costa should get the nod over Raul Jimenez In the middle of the attack.

After a 12-day break, Harris could be ready to start with the Gillingham XI who started the 3-2 win over Dagenham & Redbridge in the FA Cup.

Still, after each Alex McDonald and Scott Kaschket came from the substitute bench, both players are pushing for chances in the last third.

Wolverhampton Wanderers possible starting line-up:
Sat; Semedo, Collins, Kilman, Bueno; B. Traore, Moutinho, Hodge; Traore, Costa, Podence

Gillingham possible starting line-up:
lathe; Wright, Ehmer, Baggott, Tutonda; Williams, Jeffries; Kashket, Adelakun, Reeves; walker

We say Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 Gillingham

Despite the class difference between these two teams, don’t necessarily expect a one-sided competition. Although Lopetegui’s wolves need some time to get up to speed, we still expect the hosts to win this competition by a narrow margin.

For a data analysis of the most likely outcomes, goal scores and more for this game, please click here.

Email previews