Wolves vs Crusaders | Betting Tip, Prediction & Odds (25.07.2019)
The second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League starts this Thursday with the first legs on the schedule. Wolverhampton Wanderers begin their Europa League campaign with the home clash against the Northern Irish side Crusaders, and everything but the hosts’ victory will be a massive upset. Still, let’s take a look at both teams to find the best bets.
Wolves – Crusaders
- 2019-20 UEFA Europa League Second Qualifying Round
- Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, UK
- Thursday 25th July
- 19:45 UK Time
Wolves News & Form
The Wanderers played a couple of friendly games ahead of their matchup with Crusaders. They defeated Newcastle 4-0, while Nuno Espirito Santo’s boys earned a nil-nil draw against the mighty Manchester City, beating the reigning Premier League champs on penalties.
The Wolves kept their talented core from the previous season. They signed Raul Jimenez from Benfica on a permanent deal, spending 34 million pounds on a 28-year old striker who scored 17 goals and made eight dishes for Wolverhampton last season. Likewise, the Wolves bought out Leander Dendoncker’s contract from Anderlecht.
Nuno Espirito Santo doesn’t have any injury worries among his squad, but we could see some surprises in the starting eleven. Still, the Wanderers are undefeated in 11 straight games at Molineux Stadium, recording nine wins and two draws in the process.
Crusaders News & Form
The Crues did a nice job in the previous round, defeating B36 Torshavn 5-2 on aggregate. They won both legs, scoring three goals on the road to fully deserve their place in the second qualifying round. Including the friendly games this summer, Crusaders are riding a six-game winning streak, while they lost three of their last five contests on the road along with a pair of wins.
Winger Paul Heatley led the Crues against B36 with a couple of goals. Heatley scored 18 goals in 40 appearances last season, also adding ten assists to his name. Philip Lowry scored one goal and made an assist in the previous round, while the attacking midfielder made just one dish for the entire previous season. The manager Stephen Baxter is leading Crusaders since 2005, and he can count on all his players.
Wolves vs Crusaders Head to Head
The Wanderers have never played Crusaders before.
Betting Odds and Predictions: Wolves v Crusaders
As I’ve already mentioned, any other result besides Wolverhampton’s convincing victory would be a huge surprise. 888Sport offers 1/25 odds on Wolves; a draw pays 11/1 on the same platform, while Crusaders are listed as 33/1 minnows. Also, Wolves are 4/7 favourites to win by four or more goals with 888Sport.
The bookmakers expect to see a bunch of goals here. Bet365 offers 4/5 odds on the over 4.5 goals in the total, while the price on four or more goals in the total is just 4/11. Likewise, the bookmakers are pretty sure there will be at least two first-half goals, and Coral set the odds at 4/7.
Our Wolves vs Crusaders Betting Tip
It is a tricky job to find the value in a matchup like this one. Wolves should demolish Crusaders, but they could easily settle down with two or three goals in Crusaders’ net. On the other hand, it is fair to expect the Wanderers to finish the job in the first leg which means to score at least four goals.
Crusaders will park the bus, but I think they will fail to avoid a heavy loss at Molineux Stadium. I hope the Wolves will be keen to kick-off the new season on a high note, so go with the hosts to cover a 3.5-goal handicap at 4/7 odds with 888Sport.