The group phase in the international competitions is only preliminary for the big clubs. The real start is in the playoffs when it comes to sparkling wine or soda. The tactical constraints are overturned, especially in the return games. European Cup in its purest form is still what viewers want to see.
Wolverhampton vs Espanyol Free Betting Tips
In the sixteenth final of the Europa League, two brothers meet in spirit: Wolverhampton Wanderers and Espanyol Barcelona. Both made their debut this season in the Europa League, but left their fragrance marks in the previous competitions, namely the UEFA Cup or even the trade fair cup.
Both Wolves and Espanyol were already in the final of the UEFA Cup, the Spaniards even twice, but the big triumph was withheld from both clubs. In addition, both teams had to fight through the group stage qualification in this sixteenth final. Given the form in the national leagues, the English are likely to be favorites.
In the group stage, the Wolves secured second place in the group behind Sporting Braga, but scored more points than the Catalans, who in turn celebrated the group victory. So it was only possible that these two clubs could unite in the section Europa League Tips.
In the home game between Wolverhampton and Espanyol Barcelona speaks a lot for a prediction of an English victory. English and Spanish teams are generally very important in the Europa League and it cannot be completely ruled out that one of them will even win the trophy in the end. With a tip, we initially refrain from winning a title from Wolverhampton or Espanyol Barcelona with high odds.
There will probably not be a preliminary decision about progress in this first leg. However, both teams are ambitious and should have the quality to make the leap into the round of 16.
Wolverhampton – Statistics & current form
Nuno Espirito Santo does an excellent job in the West Midlands. First he led the Wolves into the Premier League. Then it went into the Europa League and we may report about Wolverhampton in our Champions League tips in the coming season. If the exclusion from Manchester City persists, fifth place in the Premier League is enough.
In the current table of the English league, the Wolves are in seventh place. Fifth place is four points away at the moment. According to reports, nobody at the Wolves thinks about the premier class. Usually one hears the common phrase from Wolverhampton that one looks from game to game. That didn’t go well lately, because there have only been three in the last nine games.
The next match is against a Spanish club after the Nuno Espirito Santo team held a training camp in Spain during the short English winter break. This was necessary to recharge the battery. Therefore, the teams of the Premier League are very grateful that this break took place for the first time.
Third 0-0 in a row for the Wolves?
After returning from Spain, a point game was on the program again last weekend. At home, Leicester City was about important points in the fight for international places. In the end there was a fair 0-0, even if the Wolves put pressure in the last quarter of an hour.
What is missing are the gates. The Wolves are often too harmless to attack and that’s why it is important to target the odds on bottom goals in the match between Wolverhampton and Espanyol Barcelona.
“We want to end the season as much as possible.” – Conor Coady
Captain Conor Coady does not want to take part in speculations about the further course of the season. He makes it clear that the Wolves’ only goal is to end the season as best as possible.
In terms of personnel, Nuno Espirito Santo can draw on plenty on Saturday. Overall, there is only one injured player on the list. With Phil Ofosu-Ayeh it is an old acquaintance from Braunschweig, Rostock and Würzburg, who, however, has not yet played a role in the Wolves so far and whose failure will therefore have no effect on the formation.
Probable lineup of Wolverhampton:
➦ Patricio – Coady, Boly, Saiss – Otto, Neves, Dendoncker, Doherty – Diogo Jota, Neto, Jimenez
➦ Coach: Nuno Espirito Santo
Last games from Wolverhampton:
⚽️ 02/14/2020 – Wolverhampton vs. Leicester City 0-0 (Premier League)
⚽️ 02/01/2020 – Manchester United vs. Wolverhampton 0-0 (Premier League)
⚽️ 01/23/2020 – Wolverhampton vs. Liverpool 1: 2 (Premier League)
⚽️ 01/18/2020 – Southampton vs. Wolverhampton 2: 3 (Premier League)
⚽️ Jan 15, 2020 – Manchester United vs. Wolverhampton 1-0 (FA Cup)
Espanyol Barcelona – Statistics & current form
The situation for Espanyol Barcelona continues to be threatening. It could well be that the Catalans will have to do without the derbies against FC Barcelona in the coming season, when it comes to the Segunda Division. The scenario is not unlikely, because Abelardo’s team is still in last place in La Liga.
In any case, there is still light at the end of the tunnel, because the gap to 17th place and the associated relegation is only two points. The team has also stabilized again under Abelardo. However, there are still too few points. In the last five competitive games, it was just enough for Espanyol to win.
Therefore, the odds comparison of the betting base indicates that it will be quite difficult for the Spaniards on Thursday on the island. However, the Catalans have only suffered two losses in the last 27 games in the Europa League and the UEFA Cup. This could indicate that a prediction of a draw or more between Wolverhampton and Espanyol Barcelona is not inappropriate for the Spaniards.
Slight upswing for Espanyol?
Last weekend, Abelardo’s team showed their better side. Sevilla FC had a 2-2 draw after 90 minutes. The Andalusians initially took the lead, but Adri Embarba and Wu Lei turned the game in favor of Espanyol. The lead could not be saved over time.
With a point in Sevilla you have to be satisfied in the current situation. In the coming weeks there will be some direct cellar duels in which the Catalans must be fully there. Perhaps the games in the Europa League are only disturbing, but on the other hand it is a nice change not only to play against relegation.
Some players will not be available to the Spaniards in Wolverhampton. Sebastien Corchia, David Lopez and Victor Campuzano are injured missing. There is great hope that winter newcomer Raul de Tomas has overcome his adductor injury. After all, the attacker has scored five times in five games for Espanyol.
Probable lineups of Espanyol Barcelona:
➦ D. Lopez – Pedrosa, Cabrera, Espinosa, J. Lopez – Sanchez, Roca – Wu, Darder, Embarba – Calleri
➦ Coach: Abelardo
Last Espanyol Barcelona games:
⚽️ 16.02.2020 – Sevilla vs. Espanyol Barcelona 2-2 (La Liga)
⚽️ 02/09/2020 – Espanyol Barcelona vs. Mallorca 1: 0 (La Liga)
⚽️ 02/01/2020 – Granada vs. Espanyol Barcelona 2-1 (La Liga)
⚽️ 01/25/2020 – Espanyol Barcelona vs. Athletic Bilbao 1-1 (La Liga)
⚽️ 01/22/2020 – Real Sociedad vs. Espanyol Barcelona 2-0 (Copa del Rey)
Wolverhampton vs Espanyol Barcelona Direct comparison & statistics highlights
To date, the paths of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Espanyol Barcelona have not crossed once. Both teams have appeared in European competitions again and again in the past decades. The Spaniards played their only competitive games against an English club in the early 1960s against Birmingham.
The Wolves dueled with Barcelona in 1960, but with the big FC. In the quarter-finals of the European Champion Clubs’ Cup there were two sensitive defeats for the English. To this day, Wolverhampton is still waiting for the first win against a Spanish team in a competitive game.
Wolverhampton vs Espanyol Free Betting Tips
The shape of the Wolverhampton Wanderers and Espanyol Barcelona is currently expandable. The Wolves have won only one of the last nine games. Barcelona have a not so dark record with a win from six games. The positive thing is that at least one team can improve their statistics over the past few weeks.
Espanyol have only lost twice in their last 27 international matches. However, these losses last for a period of more than 15 years. Nevertheless, this could be an indication of placing a tip in the match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Espanyol Barcelona that the Spaniards will not lose.
Key facts – Wolverhampton vs Espanyol Barcelona tips
? Wolverhampton has won only once in the past nine games.
? For Espanyol it was only one win in the last six games.
? The Spaniards have lost only two of their last 27 Europa League / UEFA Cup games
We think that this first leg will be extremely tight. The tendency of the best betting providers does not necessarily point in the direction that this pairing will only be decided in the second leg. However, we decided to take advantage of the double odds X2 in the duel between Wolverhampton and Espanyol Barcelona.
Competition: Europa League
Date: 20.02.2020
Betting Tips: X2
Odds: 2.6
Stake: 6/10 units