EFL Cup
Carabao Cup First Round: Friday’s Games Predictions
The 2026/27 season kicks off in earnest on Friday night as three first-round Carabao Cup ties get the new campaign under way, with Wolves, Middlesbrough and Wycombe Wanderers all fancied to progress. Here’s William Hill’s guide to the Friday action.
Cup football is back, and while the first round of the Carabao Cup rarely grabs the headlines, Friday’s triple-header offers an intriguing mix of a big name in League Two opposition, a genuine Championship heavyweight clash, and a League One derby to whet the appetite.
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Port Vale – 7:45pm
- Wolves – 1/5
- Draw – 5/1
- Port Vale – 9/1
Cesar Peixoto takes charge of his first competitive match as Wolves boss when League Two’s Port Vale make the trip to Molineux. It’s been a summer of change at both clubs following relegation, but the gulf in resources should tell. Wolves have won their last three meetings with the Valiants and head into the tie unbeaten in three of their four pre-season friendlies, with new arrival Raul Jimenez set to feature after a productive World Cup with Mexico. Port Vale have lost six of their last eight away outings and, despite an unbeaten pre-season of their own under Jon Brady, look to have too much to do here.
Our prediction: Wolves To Win Both Halves (90 mins) – 13/8
Wycombe Wanderers vs Stevenage – 7.45pm
- Wycombe – 23/20
- Draw – 23/10
- Stevenage – 2/1
Adams Park hosts a League One derby with genuine cup pedigree on the home side. Michael Duff’s Wycombe have made round two in each of the last five seasons, and, despite a disappointing league finish last term, the Chairboys’ Cup form suggests home advantage should count. Stevenage go into the tie with a clean bill of health and warm-up form on their side, but the head-to-head record is finely balanced, with four wins apiece from the last eight meetings.
Our prediction: Wycombe To Win To Nil (90 mins) – 11/4
Middlesbrough vs Wrexham – 8.00pm
- Middlesborough – 3/4
- Draw – 27/10
- Wrexham – 17/5
The pick of Friday’s fixtures sees two Championship promotion hopefuls collide at the Riverside, live on Sky Sports and ITV. Boro will be out to banish memories of last season’s shock first-round exit to Doncaster, while Wrexham arrive full of confidence having reached round four last time out before falling to Cardiff. This one looks far too close to call given the quality on both sides, and with both teams likely to field strong XIs from the off, a tight contest feels the most probable outcome.
Our prediction: Middlesborough To Win and Both Teams To Score – 12/5
What To Expect
Whichever way Friday’s results fall, the Carabao Cup draw for round two is never far away, and an upset or two on the opening weekend is all part of the competition’s charm.
*Prices accurate at the time of writing – odds subject to change*
