Wolves Vs Leeds: Carabao Cup Preview, Round 3, 2022

Round three of the Carabao Cup is firmly upon us, and Molineux will play host to a potentially fiery tie between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leeds United.

For the hosts, they will be managed by caretaker boss Steve Davis, with new manager Julen Lopetegui set to take charge on November 14th.

Therefore, they will be keen to take their place in round four going into the World Cup break.

As for the visitors, Jesse Marsch’s side will be full of confidence after an excellent comeback win against AFC Bournemouth at the weekend and will want to make it three wins on the bounce in all competitions.

Team News

Wolves

Wolves will be facing a possible injury nightmare ahead of Wednesday night’s match, with eight first team players potentially out injured.

Record signing Matheus Nunes missed the weekend’s match with a shoulder injury and remains touch-and-go ahead of the Leeds match.

Elsewhere, Diego Costa and Nelson Semedo will both be suspended and will not feature at all.

Toti Gomes could also make a comeback from injury, even if it is as a substitute option.

Long-term absentees such as Raul Jimenez and Pedro Neto will also miss the match.

Going into Wednesday’s Carabao Cup match, Wolves have won just one of their last six matches in all competitions, dating back to a 1-0 win against Nottingham Forest in mid-October.

Wolves have lost four of their last five, drawing with Brentford and conceding twelve goals in the process.

Things need to change for the Midlands club ahead of the World Cup break.

Leeds United

As for Leeds United, a number of youngsters could be called up to the first team squad in order to earn some crucial first team minutes.

One of those is full back Junior Firpo who has struggled for game-time in the last few weeks and will be desperate to prove to his manager that he is still the right man for the job.

Goalkeeper Joel Robles is another option in goal but the visitors are likely to keep Illan Meslier between the sticks.

After returning from an appendix issue, Leo Hjelde could also return to the squad, in replace of captain Liam Cooper, despite his goal for the club at the weekend.

Leeds are back in winning form, winning their two previous league games against AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool.

However, before that they had lost four straight league games, conceding eight goals.

In the last two games, the club have played with a real sense of purpose and desire, and it has shown in their recent results.

Therefore, Marsch will be hoping to make it three wins on the bounce.

Predicted line-ups

Wolves

Sarkic; Bueno, Collins, Kilman, Ait Nouri; Traore, Moutinho, Neves; Traore, Guedes, Hwang (4-3-3)

Leeds United

Meslier; Drameh, Llorente, Hjelde, Firpo; Greenwood, Adams, Klich; Summerville, Gelhardt, Sinisterra (4-3-3)

Players to watch

Gonçalo Guedes

With the likes of Costa and Jimenez ruled out of recent matches, Guedes has stepped up massively in recent matches, as well as scoring in Saturday’s defeat against Brighton Hove Albion.

Since his summer move from Valencia, Guedes has not had the vast majority of game time but has grabbed an assist as well as a goal for his side.

Wolves have struggled to find real momentum this season but despite losing at the weekend, Guedes was a bright star throughout the game and will be hoping to continue at that level for the remainder of the season.

Crysencio Summerville

Leeds have returned to winning ways over the last two matches, and youngster Summerville has been a huge factor in that, as his two late goals have secured victories in both matches for the club.

So far this season, Summerville has scored three goals in ten games, which considering he has registered just seven shots on target is exceptional.

Not only are his performances good for him, but they are good for his side as well, as it is giving the rest of the squad confidence that they can turn things around after a tough start to the season.