Preview: Chorley vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers - prediction, team news, lineups

Wolverhampton Wanderers square off against National League North outfit Chorley in the FA Cup fourth round on the back of just two wins in 10 matches in all competitions.

Meanwhile, the home side welcome the Premier League club to Victory Park having already defeated three EFL clubs on the way to the last 32.

Match preview

With Wolves having had to make do without Raul Jimenez in recent weeks, it has been easy for their inconsistency to be put down to issues in the final third of the pitch.

However, Saturday's 3-2 defeat at home to rivals West Bromwich Albion highlighted that Wolves are under-performing in all areas, particularly in defence, where they look far from the well-drilled outfit which has recorded successive seventh-placed finishes in the Premier League.

Taking the risk of switching to a back four has not paid off for Nuno Espirito Santo, whose substitution of skipper Conor Coady versus the Baggies hinted that reverting to a defensive three is not far away.

While Nuno may have previously envisaged resting certain players for this contest, the Portuguese will see this as an opportunity to lift the mood among a squad who could be sucked into a relegation battle.

Although a few alterations could be made, Nuno will want to see a change in mentality with important away games at Chelsea and Crystal Palace to come before the end of the month.

Chorley's victory over Wolves in 1986 will feature heavily in the media ahead of this contest, but the non-league side's current team will be in no mood for nostalgia as they prepare for the biggest fixture of their careers.

Few people will dispute that Wolves should cruise into a fifth-round tie with either Southampton or Arsenal, although Jamie Vermiglio will drill into his players that they are capable of causing another upset.

With Wigan Athletic, Peterborough United and a youthful Derby County already being dispatched, they will hold no fear when standing in front of a squad full of international players and prospects.

While Wolves spent last week losing to their neighbours, Chorley came from behind to run out 3-2 victors over Farsley Celtic, moving them up to ninth place in the National League North.

Chorley FA Cup form: WWWWW Chorley form (all competitions): WWLWLW

Wolverhampton Wanderers FA Cup form: W Wolverhampton Wanderers form (all competitions): DLDWLL

Team News

Nuno could hand starts to Morgan Gibbs-White and Patrick Cutrone, who have both recently returned to Molineux after loan spells with Swansea City and Fiorentina.

If Joao Moutinho, Adama Traore, Pedro Neto are kept in reserve, Cutrone could partner Silva in attack, with Gibbs-White taking on the same role that he impressed in at Swansea.

John Ruddy, Ki-Jana Hoever and Rayan Ait-Nouri are in line to feature, while Max Kilman is an option in defence if Nuno rests one of his first-choice trio.

Chorley will hope that Will Tomlinson and Lewis Reilly can shake off the injuries which forced them to be substituted at the weekend.

Vermiglio may look to field the same side which easily defeated Derby in the last round.

Chorley possible starting lineup: Urwin; Birch, Leather, Halis, Baines; Newby, Tomlinson, Calveley, Shenton; Hall, Cardwell

Wolverhampton Wanderers possible starting lineup: Ruddy; Boly, Coady, Saiss; Hoever, Dendoncker, Neves, Ait-Nouri; Gibbs-White; Silva, Cutrone

We say: Chorley 1-3 Wolverhampton Wanderers

After Wolves failed to impose themselves physically against West Brom, Chorley are likely to bombard the visitors during the early stages. However, regardless of their success, we still expect the Premier League side to eventually show their class, particularly in the final third of the pitch.

Top betting tip

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