Verdict: Wolves win

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Luckster

Turning their attention to EFL Cup action on Wednesday night, Wolves will welcome Burnley to Molineux.

Wolves

Starting with the hosts, limping their way over the finishing line last season, Wolves have once again shown a string of issues since opening up the 2024/25 campaign. Putting in a nightmare performance at Molineux over the weekend as they eventually fell to a 6-2 drumming at home against Chelsea, Gary O’Neil’s men are seeking a much-needed boost on Wednesday night. However, suffering back-to-back Premier League defeats since opening proceedings earlier in the month, the former Bournemouth boss could have some mounting pressure on his shoulders. In fact, now losing all of their previous five showdowns against Premier League opposition by an aggregate score of 18-4. Likewise, along with losing eight of their last nine top-flight appearances, Wolves have collected just a single victory across any competition since returning from March’s international break.

Team News

All still dealing with respective injury issues continuing on from last season, Wolves will once again be without the trio of Leon Chiwome, Enso Gonzalez and former Stuttgart striker Sasa Kalajdzic on Wednesday night. However, Portugal international Nelson Semedo will return to O’Neil’s squad after serving a suspension last weekend.

With O’Neil expected to make a handful of changes in midweek, the likes of Boubacar Traore could be handed a first start of the season here. Opening his Premier League account with a consolation strike against Chelsea over the weekend, Matheus Cunha should spearhead Wolves’ attack.

Burnley

As for the visitors, losing their Premier League status last season, Burnley are getting a new era underway this summer. Appointing ex-Fulham boss Scott Parker, the Clarets came flying out of the traps as they opened the 2024/25 campaign with consecutive Championship victories. However, although the Lancashire-based outfit might be pencilled in as a leading title contender this year, they did watch their early flurry come to an abrupt end over the weekend. Falling to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Sunderland, Parker’s side will be desperately seeking an immediate response here. While Burnley might be looking to cash in on a Wolves squad that find themselves at the heart of an extended struggle, they will be concerned by their most recent trip to the Midlands. It should be noted, when the Clarets travelled to Molineux back on December 5th, they slumped to a 1-0 defeat.

Team News

All still dealing with respective injury issues, Burnley will travel to Molineux on Wednesday night without the likes of Ameen Al Dakhil, Jordan Beyer, Hannes Delcroix, Aaron Ramsey and former Southampton star Nathan Redmond. Looking like a move to Benfica will be completed before the transfer window slams shut, Zeki Amdouni is not expected to play any part here.

Despite still waiting to open his Championship account this season, South Africa international Lyle Foster will lead Parker’s attack. Burnley are hopeful that former West Ham starlet Josh Cullen will return to their squad in midweek.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Wolves and Burnley last met back pm April 2nd, Wednesday’s opponents played out a 1-1 stalemate at Turf Moor.
• However, when Wolves last welcomed Burnley to the Midlands back on December 5th, O’Neil’s men collected a 1-0 victory.
• Continuing on from last season, Wolves have lost eight of their previous nine Premier League appearances.
• Losing their Premier League status last season, Burnley failed to win any of their final nine showdowns against top-flight opposition.
• Likewise, the Clarets failed to record a single Premier League clean sheet since opening 2024.

Conclusion

Continuing to show a string of issues on either side of the summer interval, Wolves will have plenty of pressure on their shoulders here. With the feel of a squad seeking a much-needed boost, O’Neil’s men should be excited to turn their attention to EFL Cup action on Wednesday night. Landing a 1-0 win when they welcomed Burnley to Molineux back on December 5th, we are expecting a similar outcome in midweek.

Verdict: Wolves win

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Luckster