Preview: Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Blackpool - prediction, team news, lineups

Gary O'Neil's side head into the game fresh off the back of picking up their first Premier League win of the season and will look to continue in the same vein.

Match preview

After enjoying an unbeaten run pre-season, Wolverhampton Wanderers stumbled into the 2023-24 Premier League campaign as they suffered defeats in their opening two matches.

Wolves fell to a 1-0 loss to Manchester United in the league opener on August 14, five days before they were thrashed 4-1 by a rampant Brighton and Hove Albion side at the Molineux.

However, Wolverhampton Wanderers got their season off and running last Saturday when they snatched a 1-0 victory over Everton when the sides squared off at Goodison Park.

Despite being in the ascendancy for most of the game, the Toffees were guilty of a wasteful display in front of goal as Sasa Kalajdzic scored an 87th-minute header to hand the visitors all three points.

O'Neil will hope that Saturday's victory can serve as a springboard for a fine run of form as they head to the EFL Cup where they will be looking to surpass last season's quarter-final finish.

Wolves picked up comfortable victories over Leeds United and Gillingham in the third and fourth rounds respectively before losing on penalties to Nottingham Forest in the quarter-finals after a 1-1 draw in normal time.

Blackpool, on the other hand, were handed their first defeat of the 2023-24 League One campaign on Saturday when they were beaten 3-0 by Lincoln City at the Sincil Bank Stadium.

In a game where Oliver Norburn received his marching orders, Daniel Mandroiu, Ethan Erhahon and substitute Teddy Bishop all found the back of the net to hand the hosts a resounding victory.

Since claiming a 2-0 win over Burton Albion in the League One curtain-raiser on August 5, Neil Critchley's men have now failed to win their subsequent four league matches, picking up three draws and losing once.

The Seasiders now return to action in the EFL Cup, where they picked up a comfortable 2-0 victory over Derby County in the first round on August 8 courtesy of a first-half brace from Jake Beesley.

Next up for Blackpool is the stern challenge of an opposing side who are unbeaten in four of their last five meetings — claiming three wins and one draw — with a 2-1 loss in January 2013 being the exception.

Wolverhampton Wanderers form (all competitions):

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D

W

L

L

W

Blackpool EFL Cup form:

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Blackpool form (all competitions):

W

W

D

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L

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Team News

Wolverhampton Wanderers head into Tuesday with a clean bill of health and no suspension concerns, giving O'Neil the luxury of a full strength squad at his disposal.

Matheus Nunes missed the game against Everton through a one-game suspension but should return to the fold here, forming the midfield trio with Mario Lemina and Joao Gomes.

Meanwhile, Blackpool will be without experienced midfielder Norburn, who is currently suspended after picking up a straight red card against Lincoln at the weekend.

On the injury front, Critchley will be unable to call upon the English duo of 33-year-old Gary Madine and defender Jordan Gabriel, who are currently recuperating from injuries.

Liam Bridcutt had been sidelined through a severe leg injury, while Jamaica midfielder Kevin Stewart sustained a foot problem while on international duty against Trinidad and Tobago back in March.

Shayne Lavery, who had two league goals under his belt this season, was forced off injured inside the opening half-hour on Saturday and is out of contention for the Seasiders.

Wolverhampton Wanderers possible starting lineup:

Sa; Semedo, Dawson, Kilman, Ait-Nouri; Nunes, Gomes, Lemina; Neto, Cunha, Hwang

Blackpool possible starting lineup:

Grimshaw; Casey, Ekpiteta, Husband; Hamilton, Morgan, Dougall, Carey, Connolly; Rhodes, Beesley

We say: Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 Blackpool

Fresh off the back of a morale-boosting victory over Everton, Wolverhampton Wanderers will head into Tuesday with renewed confidence as they look to put together a fine run of form. Given the gulf in quality and depth between the two sides, we are tipping O'Neil's men to come away with a comfortable victory in this one.

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