Overview
Wolves entered the new season with many expectations after the surprising decision to appoint Cesar Peixoto to replace Rob Edwards. Although this choice once faced many doubts, the Molineux home team has built trust with positive performances in the pre-season period.
They closed the friendly series with a 3-0 victory over Racing Santander, thereby extending their impressive streak of results. Wolves kept a clean sheet in 4 out of 6 friendly matches, while defeating Maidenhead United, Doncaster Rovers and drawing with Estoril Praia in a closed match.
Peixoto also confirmed that Wolves will continue to strengthen their forces. The current squad has been significantly strengthened with the participation of Nasser Djiga, Tommy Doyle, Marshall Munetsi, Fer Lopez and Sasa Kalajdzic.
This will be the first official match under the Portuguese strategist, and also the final general rehearsal before Wolves start their Championship campaign with a reception of Blackburn Rovers. Therefore, the Molineux home team is likely to field the strongest squad.
On the opposite side, Port Vale also entered the season with great confidence. The two teams will meet in their first official match since Port Vale's 0-3 defeat to Wolves in League One in January 2014.
Coach Jon Brady's team went through an unbeaten pre-season with four wins and 2 draws. Port Vale successively defeated Tamworth, Wigan Athletic, Real Murcia and Blackpool, and drew points against Bournemouth's U21 teams and Derby County.
To prepare for the 2026-2027 season, Port Vale is also actively upgrading the squad with a series of notable new signings such as goalkeeper Jackson Smith, center-back Lewis Montsma, midfielder Kyle Dempsey and striker Max Watters. These additions are expected to help them create a significant challenge for Wolves in the upcoming match.
Personnel situation
Coach Cesar Peixoto is likely to keep the same squad that defeated Racing Santander in the most recent friendly match at Molineux stadium. However, some players have not yet reached their best physical condition and need more time to regain their competitive feeling.
Ladislav Krejci, Santiago Bueno and Sasa Kalajdzic are in this group, while Raul Jimenez has not made any appearances since returning to Wolves. The Mexican striker is predicted to start on the bench.
In the main squad, Kieran Trippier, Marshall Munetsi and Fer Lopez are new faces who are likely to be given opportunities from the beginning by coach Peixoto.
On the Port Vale side, coach Jon Brady is likely to continue to use the squad that helped the team defeat Blackpool 1-0 in the friendly match last weekend.
Although new signing Jasper Moon - the author of the decisive goal against Blackpool - and striker Ben Waine both started in the match against U21 Derby County in the middle of the week, both are predicted to start this match on the bench.
Expected lineup:
Bentley, Trippier, Mosquera, T. Gomes, H. Bueno, Andre, Munetsi, R. Gomes, Lopez, Mane, Armstrong.
Port Vale: Smith, Gabriel, Montsma, Humphreys, Headley, Walters, Hall, Byers, Watters, Faal, Gordon.
The match between Wolves and Port Vale takes place at 1:45 am on August 8 (Vietnam time).
