Wolverhampton Wanderers head to the RCDE Stadium as they take on Espanyol in the second leg of their Round of 32 tie.
Espanyol have it all to do because they need at least five goals plus a clean sheet if they’re to overturn a four goal deficit from the first leg. whereas Wolves know that at least one goal would be enough to effectively confirm their passage into the next stage.
Team news
Espanyol have no fresh injury concerns with Sebastien Corchia and Raul de Tomas still out, due to respective knee and adductor injuries.
Wolves will be without Jonny after the fullback suffered an ankle injury during Sunday’s win over Norwich.
Ruben Vinagre however is in contention to return from a month long thigh injury, as Nuno Espirito Santo has no other injury concerns except for Jonny.
Stat Attack
- Espanyol are hosting Wolves at home for the very first time, having lost their only previous meeting by a 4-0 result at Molineux in the first leg last week.
- Wolves have lost their only previous away European game against Spanish opposition, losing 4-0 to Barcelona in February 1960.
- Diogo Jota will be hoping to net a third consecutive European hat-trick for Wolves, having done so in the first leg and against Besiktas in their final Group K match.
Prediction
Most clubs who entered this competition in July would be feeling the fatigue now but Wolves look revitalised, especially after two dominant performances in the past week which highlights how good a job Nuno Espirito Santo has done in squad management.
I however do think that Wolves will be a slightly second string team here because this is an ideal game to rest the likes of Rui Patricio, Diogo Jota and Raul Jimenez ahead of a tough trip to Tottenham on Sunday.
Espanyol however need to get on the front foot quickly because if they don’t then I can see an away win here.
Prediction: Espanyol 0-2 Wolves
Result: Espanyol 3-2 Wolves (Wolves win 6-3 on aggregate)
Leave a Reply