The Periquitos have been waiting for twelve years to return to this competition, in which they even reached the final in the summer of 2007, where they failed just as in 1988. After winning the playoffs, Blanquiazules was even able to win the preliminary round in Group H. After the crashing 4-0 defeat in Wolverhampton from the first leg, it should have been again.
Anyway, the Spaniards have very different concerns these days. Abelardo’s men are currently 20th in La Liga. Which bookmakers for Espanyol Barcelona vs Wolverhampton offer the best odds can be found in the betting odds comparison.
At Espanyol Barcelona against Wolverhampton, however, the forecast must address the weakness of the periquitos at home. The Blanquiazules only won one of their twelve home games in La Liga, which is also the main reason for the current misery.
This contrasts with Wolves, who were beaten only three times in 13 games in foreign places in England and who can already play in Catalonia with the result from the first leg.
At Espanyol Barcelona against Wolverhampton, that’s what makes the most sustainable tip that at least three goals will be on the scoreboard in the second leg as well.
In addition to the following analysis, you can also read the betting tips for the remaining second-round matches of this sixteenth final in the section Betting Tips Europa League.
Espanyol Barcelona:
For Espanyol Barcelona, the ice is getting thinner and thinner. At the weekend, the next six-point game failed in La Liga following the 0: 4 defeat at the Wolves. The bottom of the table could have gotten up to the direct competitor Valladolid except for four points.
In the end, the Periquitos lost 1-2 due to an early red card from David López in the 25th minute. The national conclusion reads sobering: 20th place in the table and five points behind the saving bank in 13 games that are still pending.
Especially at home in the RCDE Stadium, almost nothing came together for Abelardo’s men. Not only was there a 0-1 defeat against CSKA Moscow on the last day of the group stage, but the home side lost seven of their twelve home games in Spanish league operations.
Already a whopping 23 goals conceded the Blanquiazules in front of their own fans in La Liga and have so far shown themselves to be the most willing host of Spain’s first division clubs. No wonder that at Espanyol Barcelona against Wolverhampton the bookmakers’ odds turn out in the direction of the guests, although they can confidently spare their top performers after the 4-0 victory from the first leg.
It is therefore essential for the Catalans to say goodbye to the European competition, for which they had to wait twelve long years after the 2007 final that was lost in the penalty shootout. The statistics – overall as well as at home in Catalonia – are definitely encouraging.
Ahead of the loss to Moscow, Espanyol Barcelona remained unbeaten in 25 European matches against non-Spanish teams in series (19 wins, six draws). And at RCDE Stadium, the periquitos won eleven of their last 13 competitive games, with nine of these matches scoring at least three of their own.
Even that would no longer be enough to get ahead. For a dignified farewell, which would also bring back important self-confidence for the relegation battle in La Liga, but it does.
Wolverhampton:
The Wolverhampton Wanderers also finished seventh at the national level last season and had to fight their way through the qualifying rounds into the Europa League group stage. A competition that the English had previously only known as a UEFA Cup.
Although in the end it was only enough for second place behind Sporting Braga in the preliminary round group K despite 13 out of 18 possible points, the goal for the round of 16 is now wide open for the Wolves, for which Nuno Espírito Santo has to thank Diogo Jota in particular, who helped with the 4-0 first leg victory put together a three-pack.
The Wanderers transferred their momentum perfectly to the Premier League and shone at the weekend with the next 3-0 home win over Norwich City, in which Diogo Jota was again the focus with a double pack.
What is particularly impressive is the fact that the kickers from the West England Midlands remained without conceding for the fourth competitive game in a row. If this succeeds again at the RCDE Stadium, goalkeeper Rui Patrício would have had a truly perfect February.
However, a tip on the fifth defensive zero should be enjoyed with caution at Espanyol Barcelona against Wolverhampton. The team of Nuno Espírito Santo may have a very defensive DNA. Nevertheless, some top performers are likely to get a creative break in the run-up to the 45th competitive match of the 2019/20 season. On Sunday, the Spurs finally go to London.
Meanwhile, the very good away record of the eighth of the Premier League encourages a good result in Catalonia. Including the three qualifying rounds and the first two group games in the distance, five away wins were recorded before the Wanderers played at Sporting Braga on match day six.
The Wolves are still unbeaten, which reminds of very glorious times. Also in the 1971/72 season, the three-time English champion remained unbeaten internationally in foreign places and in the end advanced to the UEFA Cup final. There, the Wanderers were defeated in an English final Tottenham Hotspur.
