Wolves finished bottom of the Premier League last season
Port Vale were relegated from League One last season
Recommended bet: Wolves and over 3.5 goals @ EVS with LiveScore Bet
Following on from the two qualification matches for the 2026-27 EFL Cup, the first round gets under way this week with Wolves and Port Vale in action on Friday.
Wolves' last competitive match was a Premier League clash with Burnley, and life in the Football League will hit them hard when they welcome League Two outfit Port Vale to Molineux.
Wolves finished their Premier League campaign with just one defeat in their last three matches, but the squad is much changed from last season, and they have a new manager, Cesar Peixoto, in charge for this term.
Pre-season form has been impressive for Wolves, with three wins and just one defeat and the Championship outfit should be too strong for their visitors this week.
Vale head to Molineux following relegation last season, although they did make it to Round 3 of the EFL Cup last term, when they lost to Arsenal and they also memorably progressed to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup earlier this year.
However, a trip to Wolves first up in the cups this season means similar giant-killing exploits look to be a tall order for Jon Brady's side.
The latest Wolves vs Port Vale odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Cesar Peixoto takes charge of his first competitive match on Friday night and the new manager has declared it a new era at Molineux, including many new faces after a squad overhaul throughout the summer.
Raul Jimenez has returned to the club following a spell at Fulham and could make his second debut for the club this week, albeit from the substitutes' bench being more likely after his World Cup exertions this summer with Mexico.
Kieran Trippier has joined from Newcastle, and the veteran defender is likely to go straight into the starting XI this week.
Winger Rafiki Said is their third signing of the summer and may also be handed a debut.
Vale have also seen plenty of change in the close-season, with eight new players joining the club, the headline name being Tyreece Simpson from Stevenage and the striker is likely to lead the line at Molineux.
The stats
Wolves' last home win was in March when they saw off Liverpool 2-1.
Port Vale won just one of their final five League One fixtures last season.
Wolves have won their last two competitive matches against Port Vale.
Port Vale made it to Round Three of the EFL Cup last season.
The Valiants have made eight summer signings since relegation to League Two.
Wolves progressed to the fourth round of the EFL Cup last season before losing 4-3 to Chelsea.
The latest Wolves vs Port Vale odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Despite relegation last season, Wolves should be too strong for their League Two opponents as they get their 2026-27 season started.
Jimenez has returned to the club and offers a greater attacking threat than they possessed last season, while fellow new signing Trippier adds nous and experience at the back and a wicked dead-ball threat.
Both men are expected to play some part in the match on Friday night, with Jimenez returning to action following his goal-scoring exploits at the World Cup, highlighting the gulf in class between the two sides.
Peixoto was hired at the start of the summer, so the new man has had plenty of time to work with his new players and get them ready for the gruelling Championship campaign ahead.
With a new boss to impress and a significant gap in quality between the sides, Wolves can be expected to run out comfortable winners in this clash.
Prediction: Wolves 4-0 Port Vale (7/1 with LiveScore Bet)
Back Wolves to win and over 3.5 goals against Port Vale at EVS with LiveScore Bet
