Why Jamie Carragher's predicting a real rarity in Everton's Carabao Cup clash vs Wolves
Jamie Carragher has predicted Everton will overcome Wolves in their Carabao Cup tie, even if the stats suggest otherwise.
The Toffees welcome Championship side Wolves to Hill Dickinson Stadium for Wednesday night's third-round tie.
David Moyes' side thrashed Preston North End 4-0 in the previous round, with Thierno Barry netting a hat-trick.
Wolves, meanwhile, have defeated Sheffield Wednesday and Port Vale to reach this stage.
Cesar Peixoto's men have made a positive enough start to their Championship campaign, too, as they sit three points off top spot after seven matches.
Everton are favourites to overcome Wolves on home soil, but they have not had the best time of things in this fixture in recent years.
Everton's disappointing record vs Wolves
Everton were held 1-1 by Wolves when the sides last met eight months ago at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
That game is best remembered for Michael Keane and Jack Grealish being sent off for the Toffees late on.
Wolves also knocked Everton out of the Carabao Cup in this very round last season, albeit with that match played at Molineux.
Indeed, Wolves have lost two of their last 11 meetings with Everton in all competitions (W6 D3), and just one of their last five away from home.
Despite that, Carragher has predicted a 3-1 Everton win for Sky Sports' Super 6 game.
That would mean just a second home win over Wolves in six attempts for the Toffees, making it a surprise rarity.
The omens that work in Everton's favour
Football is more about current form than historic results, of course, but they still make for interesting reading.
For example, Wolves have won just one of their last 16 away games against top-flight sides in the Carabao Cup, beating Southampton 2-0 in 2017-18.
Everton, meanwhile, have progressed from 12 of their last 13 Carabao Cup ties against sides from outside of the Premier League.
On that basis, the Toffees look good value to advance to the fourth round.
But it will certainly not be easy, and Moyes needs to reflect that by naming a strong starting XI.