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Wolverhampton vs Sevilla Odds & Preview: Europa League Quarterfinals

Gary Gowers

by Gary Gowers in Soccer News

Updated Aug 8, 2020 · 6:45 AM PDT

It's a battle of breakout stars vs usual suspects in the quarterfinals of the Europa league when Wolverhampton takes on Sevilla. Is a competition win to play Europa again next season enough motivation for the Wolves to be wagered on? We explore and offer our best betting advice.
  • On Tuesday, August 11, it’s the quarterfinal of the UEFA Europa League between Wolves and Sevilla
  • Sevilla starts as narrow favorites but this one has the makings of the tie of the round
  • We’ll preview the game, look at the odds, some stats, and offer a pick

The UEFA Europa League finally reaches its quarterfinal stage early next week. On paper, the tie of the round is Wolves vs Sevilla, who play in Duisburg, Germany, on Tuesday, August 11, KO 4pm ET.

We’ll preview the game, list the odds, compare some stats, and offer a pick.

Wolves vs Sevilla Europa League Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total at DraftKings
Wolves -0.5 (+235) +235 Ov 2.5 (+128)
Sevilla +0.5 (-315) +120 Un 2.5 (-157)
Draw N/A +230 N/A

Odds taken Aug 8

Tie of the Round in Duisburg

The Schaunisland-Reisen-Arena hosts what promises to be the tie of the round in the Europa League quarterfinals when Wolves and Sevilla meet in Duisburg in a one-off tie. Wolves made it to the last eight courtesy of a nerve-jangling win over Olympiacos of Greece, with an early penalty from Raul Jimenez enough to give them a 1-0 win on the night and a 2-1 win on aggregate. But it was touch and go, and they had to survive several nervous moments before securing their quarterfinal place.

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It wasn’t a game that came without a cost though, as Wolves coach Nuno Espirito Santo now looks likely to be without Jonny, who picked up a knock in the game, while Daniel Podence also misses the Sevilla game through suspension. Yet there should be no underestimating the achievement, as this is Wolves’ first appearance in the last eight of a European competition for 48 years.

Record-Breaking Sevilla

By contrast, Sevilla are old hands at going a long way in the Europa League and are the most decorated team in the tournament’s history. They made it to this season’s last eight by virtue of a 2-0 win over Roma in a single-tie, also in Duisburg, and will start the game as favorites to beat Wolves. The Spaniards’ form has been simply outstanding since the restart and in addition to the fine win over Roma,  they were unbeaten in La Liga, winning five and drawing five of their 10 games.

Wolves vs Sevilla UEL Head-to-Head Stats

Wolves
VS
Sevilla
10 / 6  Games played / Wins 9 / 6
2 Defeats 1
2 Draws 2
19 Goals scored 17
9 Goals conceded 4
81% Passing accuracy 88%
128 Goal attempts 138
4-0 vs Besiktas & Espanol Biggest win in 2019/20 UCL 5-2 vs Dudelange (a)

Wolves on The Rise but No Euro Next Season?

For Wolves, this tie is confirmation of a massive turnaround in the club’s fortunes since the arrival of Espirito Santo and the new owners. It began with the club marooned in the English second tier but a massive injection of cash, some star signings, and some fine management has propelled them to the upper reaches of English soccer, and as serious challengers to the EPL’s big six.

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But they need to win this competition in order to play in Europe again next season and Espirito Santo will be hoping this offers his players the motivation needed to beat Sevilla. Arsenal’s win over Chelsea in the FA Cup final meant they missed out on the final Europa League spot after finishing seventh in the final EPL table.

It’s a big ask for Wolves though. In addition to being in tremendous form, Sevilla’s pedigree in this competition is unrivaled, having won it a record five times, including three titles on the bounce between 2014 and 2016. Their two other triumphs were also back-to-back — in 2006 and 2007 — and to win the tournament for a sixth time this century would be an outstanding achievement.

Sevilla are old hands at going a long way in the Europa League and are the most decorated team in the tournament’s history

Lopetegui With a Point To Prove

For Sevilla manager, Julen Lopetegui, some silverware would be massive boost given his disastrous spell at the helm at Real Madrid, which followed an equally disastrous spell as Spain’s national manager, and would be a perfect end to a season in which he’s guided to Sevilla to fourth place in La Liga. In his first season there – they finished level on points with the mighty Atletico Madrid – they secured Champions League qualification for next season by an emphatic 10-point margin.

So, with Champions League soccer already assured for Sevilla, the pressure here is on Wolves who, without winning the competition will only have domestic honors to compete for next season.  For me, that may just tilt the balance in Wolves’ favor but it will be tight. It may need extra-time, possibly penalties, to separate these two, so there looks to be value here in the draw after 90 minutes.

Pick: Wolves and Sevilla to draw (+230)

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