Jarrad Branthwaite in Everton training gear and David Moyes

Jarrad Branthwaite and David MoyesImago

Everton predicted XI vs Wolves: Branthwaite and Garner out, Moyes to try untested gem

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Published on:

14 Sep 2026, 11:10 am

David Moyes will be pondering his team selection for Everton's Carabao Cup tie against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Scot named a strong line-up in the previous round, as Preston were put to the sword.

But a lot has changed since then, and a poor end to the transfer window has left Moyes with a threadbare squad.

As such, he is going to have to carefully manage his resources, especially with Ipswich Town visiting the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday.

It could mean that Moyes will be tempted to get some minutes in the legs of some of his squad players against recently relegated Wolves.

Consequently, Goodison News has predicted as many as seven changes to be made for Wednesday's third-round clash at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Jordan Pickford to start but Jarrad Branthwaite rested for Everton

Moyes resisted the temptation to bring Mark Travers in for Jordan Pickford in the last round, and it could be he does the same here and just sticks with his regular number one.

Vitaliy Mykolenko will likely keep his place at left-back, but Jake O'Brien might come on the right in place of Ainsley Maitland-Niles so as not to overload the deadline-day arrival.

Jarrad Branthwaite was rested for the last round to guard against a reoccurence of a hamstring injury, and Moyes might do the same here with Michael Keane coming in.

James Tarkowski could keep his place, though, given there are not many other defensive options for Moyes to select from.

Three things Everton and David Moyes must show fans in Carabao Cup clash vs Wolves

Moyes to give youngster a go in attacking reshuffle

Much like Branthwaite, James Garner should be carefully managed given his injury trouble in pre-season.

As such, Moyes could look to bring in Hayden Hackney alongside Harrison Armstrong in his central midfield.

It would be bold, but Moyes could also switch out his entire attacking line-up against Wolves.

Tyler Dibling needs minutes somewhere, so he could be a possibility to play on the right instead of Brennan Johnson.

Jack Grealish needs minutes having only been used as a sub so far, and he may get the nod over Tyrique George, while we are predicting Charly Alcaraz to start at attacking midfield ahead of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

Thierno Barry is Everton's only senior striker on the books, so losing him to injury here would be a nightmare scenario.

As such, it might be prudent for Moyes to use untested youth gem Braiden Graham here, with the 18-year-old having been making recent matchday squads.

Everton predicted XI vs Wolverhampton Wanderers: Pickford; O'Brien, Keane, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Hackney, Armstrong; Dibling, Alcaraz, Grealish; Graham

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall