Pedro Lima starts: The predicted Wolves XI to face Brighton in the EFL Cup | OneFootball

FLW has a look at the Wolves XI that could take on Brighton in the EFL Cup on Wednesday night.

Wolves will have to overcome fellow Premier League side Brighton on Wednesday night if they are to reach the fourth round of the League Cup.

Gary O’Neil’s side have endured a tough start to the campaign, with a 2-1 home loss to Newcastle United last time out meaning they have collected just one point from four games.

The only win for Wanderers this season came in the League Cup, when they comfortably beat Burnley 2-0 at Molineux.

A weekend trip to rivals Aston Villa is the priority for O’Neil, so a much-changed XI is expected to line up against the Seagulls, and here we look at the team Wolves may go with…

GK: Jose Sa

The Portuguese international has lost his place in the side to Sam Johnstone, but this game will give Sa a chance to show his quality.

His long-term future is seemingly away from Wolves, so this could be one of his last appearances for the club.

RB: Pedro Lima

There was a lot of excitement when Wolves won the race for the signature of the Brazilian youngster, but O’Neil has called for patience with Lima, who is yet to play in the top-flight.

However, he did start, and impress, against Burnley, so he will hope for another chance against the Seagulls, in what will be a big test for Lima.

CB: Yerson Mosquera

With Toti Gomes injured, Wolves are short on options at the back, so one of the starting pair from Sunday is likely to be in from the off.

O'Neil has suggested he may go with a youngster, but that would be a bold move against a talented Brighton side, and with Craig Dawson unlikely to play, it means Mosquera could partner Bueno.

CB: Santi Bueno

The Uruguayan played well in the previous round against Burnley, and he will be another who is a certainty to play against Brighton.

Bueno has done reasonably well for Wolves since joining, but he has failed to nail down a place in the XI. With the side struggling to keep clean sheets, a big performance here could put him into O’Neil’s thinking moving forward.

LB: Matt Doherty

It’s fair to say that most Wolves fans won’t be pleased with Doherty starting at left-back, but the lack of depth behind Rayan Ait-Nouri, who was struggling towards the end of the Newcastle defeat, is a concern.

Toti Gomes’ absence means there is a real lack of senior left-footed defenders in the squad, and with youngster Bastien Meupiyou also out, the reality is that Doherty is very likely to start, even if it’s not his preferred position.

CM: Tommy Doyle

Another nailed-on starter, Doyle has done well for Wolves, but there are three quality players ahead of him in the pecking order, so his game time is limited.

This offers a chance for Doyle to play, and he will see it as a great opportunity to show what he can do, as he looks to force his way into the XI.

CM: Joao Gomes

There is a chance that Luke Cundle could start, but he hasn’t played this season for the first-team, which includes not featuring against Burnley.

So, O’Neil is likely to go with one of Mario Lemina, Andre or Joao Gomes to partner Doyle, and the latter seems the most realistic option. Andre went off with a knock on Sunday, and Lemina was a doubt, so it would make sense not to risk the pair, meaning Gomes is in from the start.

RW: Carlos Forbs

The winger joined on Deadline Day from Ajax, and fans got a first glimpse of the player on Sunday, and it was a bright cameo from the former Man City youngster.

He brings a different dynamic with his blistering pace and direct style, and a good performance at Brighton could put Forbs in with a chance of starting at Villa Park.

AM: Pablo Sarabia

It has been a frustrating season so far for the Spaniard, who has seen several players jump ahead of him in the pecking order.

So, Sarabia will welcome this game, and the attacking midfield role should allow him to showcase his technical ability, as he looks to offer a reminder of why he was important to the team last season.

LW: Hwang Hee-chan

Hwang was hugely influential last season, but he hasn’t got going in the current campaign.

Many feel that playing out wide isn't the best use of his talent, but O’Neil is persisting with him in that role, and he will want a big performance from the South Korean.

Rodrigo Gomes is another option, but Hwang is ahead of him right now.

CF: Goncalo Guedes

Guedes scored both goals against Burnley, and he will hope to be amongst the goals again at the Amex Stadium.

It seemed highly unlikely that he would play for Wolves again, but having got his head down in pre-season, the Portugal international appears to have made himself backup to Jorgen Strand Larsen as the number nine, so he will lead the attack in this much-changed Wolves side.