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2026-09-16 - Everton vs Wolves
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English League Cup Third Round
Wednesday 16th September 2026 - Kick Off 7:45pm
Everton
A small squad does make things very difficult for Everton, but also means David Moyes is not expected to ring the changes when it comes to the Cup competitions. The Premier League is always the priority for the club, but the Everton fans are desperate to see this 'sleeping giant' begin to wake up by picking up some silverware for the first time in over thirty years.
The League Cup will always be a competition that fans of the non-European Premier League clubs will expect their clubs to target, but Everton have not enjoyed a lot of success in recent years. They did reach the Quarter Final in 2023/24, but Everton have been beaten in the Third Round in 4 of the last 5 seasons and there will be a real sense of disappointment if that happens again on Wednesday.
Everton are unbeaten in 5 games to open this season, but they have not won any of the last 3 Premier League games since thumping Preston North End 0-4 at Deepdale in the League Cup Third Round. Going back to last season, Everton have won 1 of the last 5 games played at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
David Moyes picked a very competitive team for the win at Preston North End in the League Cup last month and it would be a surprise if he does not do the same here.
Wolves
As the club continued to decline in the Premier League, Wolves kept their gunpowder dry until the FA Cup was played rather than having a long League Cup run. Early in the campaign, the focus had been on laying a foundation from which they could avoid the drop, although the fortune ran out for Wolves at the end of last season as they dropped out of the top flight.
A managerial change raised eyebrows in the off-season, but Wolves have made a positive start to life back in the Championship and the League will be a massive priority in the bid to return to the Premier League. Wins over Port Vale and Sheffield Wednesday have taken Wolves into the League Cup Third Round, but they avoided a third straight exit at this Stage when going out in the Fourth Round last season.
Wolves scored very late on at Bramall Lane on Sunday and that means they have suffered a single loss from the opening 8 games played under Cesar Peixoto. Prior to that win at Sheffield United, Wolves had been beaten 4-2 at West Ham United and drawn 2-2 at Birmingham City.
Head to Head
Everton took four points from Wolves in the Premier League last season, although Wolves did beat The Toffees 2-0 at home in the League Cup.
They had lost 3 in a row at Goodison Park against Wolves before Everton beat this opponent in the last season at that famous old ground.
Last season the game at Hill Dickinson Stadium ended 1-1.
Prediction
These two clubs were playing in the same Division several months ago and both Everton and Wolves know the League campaign has to be the priority.
It feels more important for Wolves who will be desperate to get back into the Premier League at the first time of asking and the team selection may underline that.
David Moyes may usually have chosen to make a few more changes to his own selection, but a poor transfer window has left him with few options.
That meant picking a stronger team than some may have thought in the 0-4 win at Preston North End in the last Round and Everton may choose another strong lineup here.
This should give them an edge against an opponent that have troubled Everton on Merseyside in recent years, and The Toffees can do enough in the final third to earn a place in the League Cup Fourth Round.
The Pick :
Everton 2-1 Wolves
