Tournament pedigree to be Wolves' undoing
Wolverhampton Wanderers face off with Sevilla for a place in the Europa League semifinals on Tuesday evening, with the tournament pedigree certainly lying with Julen Lopetegui’s men. Sevilla have secured qualification for the Champions League, finishing just behind Atletico Madrid on goal difference in fourth place, whereas this competition is of arguably more significance for Wolves who will drop out of European football altogether should they fail to win the Europa League. Sevilla are favourites with their rich history in recent years, winning the tournament more times than any other club including three times in successive years between 2014 and 2016.
Background
A both teams to score no punt would have won in Wolves’ last six matches, with 11 of their last 12 bringing under 2.5 goals seeing this knockout have a low chance of being a cracker for the neutral. Sevilla have won five of their last seven matches without conceding, further pointing towards a low scoring affair. Lopetegui’s men are also unbeaten in their last 18 outings, it is a tall order for Nuno Espirito Santo and his team. Both teams have not found the net in seven of Sevilla’s last nine and they are unbeaten against English clubs in the Europa League from five meetings. Can Wolves buck the trend?
Ones to watch
January addition Daniel Podence has looked very encouraging from limited first team opportunities this season. He has contributed three assists and got on the scoresheet once and played a key role in thwarting his previous employers, Olympiakos, in the last round. He won the penalty that turned out to settle the tie with Raul Jimenez calmly slotting home to see Wolves into the last eight. Podence took up the more familiar Diogo Jota role on the left hand side of an attacking three that night and proved he is a threat on the ball, though a little unknown the 24-year-old looks a brilliant bit of business at this stage.
An asset to Sevilla’s front three is predominantly right sided winger Lucas Ocampos. The 26-year-old is enjoying the best campaign of his career, his first with the Spanish side having joined from Marseille in the summer. Particularly impressive in front of goal the Argentina international scored 16 and assisted five in all competitions. He will be hungry however to break his Europa League duck in this encounter.
Sevilla’s experience will tell, and it could be a bridge too far for Wolves’ small squad.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
The aforementioned Lucas Ocampos grabbed the only goal of the game, with Raul Jimenez and Wolves left to rue and early penalty miss.