Prediction: Wolves vs Crusaders

Prediction: Wolves win to nil

Best Odds: 1/3

Bookmaker: bet365

The UEFA Europa League qualifying rounds are upon us, as some of the smaller sides prepare for what is bound to be a fascinating few weeks of action. They’ll all be aiming to reach the latter stages of the competition, in order to come up against some of the big boys. In the game we’ll be looking at today, however, there is already something of a David vs Goliath aspect at play, as Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers go head to head with Northern Ireland’s own Crusaders.

Wolves

Last season, Wolves surprised a lot of people by finishing 7th and reaching the semi-finals of the FA Cup. Even if you’d have asked the Molineux faithful themselves they probably wouldn’t have expected things to have gone that well, but that’s a testament to just how good this team is. They’ll hope, and expect, to go pretty far in the Europa League this season, especially if they can add a few more high profile names into their ranks over the next few weeks.

Team News

Wolves are expected to name a pretty strong line-up in their return to the European stage, although there’s a good chance Raul Jimenez will sit this one out courtesy of the role he played in Mexico’s Gold Cup success.

Crusaders

One thing that Crusaders cannot afford to do is sit back and be tourists in this tie, which is something that their manager has reiterated several times in the lead-up to the first leg. They know that they aren’t expected to do much of note in the Europa League beyond their victories against Torshavn, but in the end, that doesn’t really matter. It’s all about the experience, and you can bet that they’re going to give it everything they’ve got.

Team News

Crusaders will likely go with a similar starting XI to the second leg over in Faroe Islands, with goalscorers Forsythe and Heatley aiming to lead the line and guide them to an upset win.

Factors to Consider

• The first leg will be played in England, with the second leg taking place in Northern Ireland.
• This is Wolves’ first European game in 40 years.
• Cruasders have already come through the first qualifying round.
• Wolves recently beat Manchester City to win the Premier League Asia Trophy over in China.
• Crusaders beat Torshavn 2-0 at home in the first leg of their first round tie, and proceeded to win the second leg 3-2.

Conclusion

Wolves are incredibly likely to get the win here, to the point where we can’t really picture Crusaders getting any kind of a sniff at goal whatsoever. This is going to be a big night in the history of the club, and they aren’t going to let this opportunity pass them by. Crusaders will put up a fight and they may even hold out for longer than 10-15 minutes, but in the end, the Premier League juggernauts will run away with this first leg.

Prediction: Wolves win to nil

Best Odds: 1/3

Bookmaker: bet365