Could Wolves' epic season finally come to an end against Europa League specialists Sevilla? Paul Higham previews Tuesday's action.
Recommended bets
2pts Sevilla to beat Wolves (in 90 mins) at 6/5
1pt Shakhtar to win & over 2.5 goals (90 mins) at 19/10
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
Wolves v Sevilla
- 2000 kick-off on BT Sport 1
- Latest odds: Home 5/2 | Draw 21/10 | Away 6/5
It's incredible to think that Wolves have been on the go for over a year now since they started this competition in July 2019, but it could all be for nothing as they come up against the Europa League specialists in Lisbon.
Sevilla are five-time Europa League winners - and history tells us that when they reach the quarter-finals, they go on to lift the trophy, having won it every time they have reached the last eight.
So it's an almighty task for a Wolves side that must be leggy after their marathon season, but a trip to Portugal where so many of the squad, and their manager, feel right at home could do wonders - and anything can happen in these one-off ties.
The odds reflect the fact Sevilla beat Roma comfortably in the last round and are unbeaten in 18 games, even before bringing up their pedigree in this competition. While Wolves made hard work of Olimpiacos.
Just what's left in the tank of this Wolves squad is the big issue - this looks on paper to be a real chess match of a game with few goals - Nuno's side's last six victories have been won 'to nil' while Sevilla have done the same in five of their last seven.
Under 2.5 goals trading at about 4/7 shows you that the bookies also don't fancy goals. These two are going to have to work hard to create chances and I'm just not sure Wolves will have it in them - although with Adama Traore and Raul Jimenez around they still have a chance.
Only two of Sevilla's Europa League games this season saw both teams score, while six of nine have been goalless at half-time (it's just 6/4 to be 0-0 at the break here). Julen Lopetegui's side haven't conceded a first-half goal in Europe all season.
Keeping it tight and striking in the second half has been a running theme for both sides, so 11/10 on the second half having the most goals looks a tap-in, while the half-time draw is fully in play here at 10/11.
The nod, though, just has to go to the fresher Spanish outfit to end Wolves' brave, and lengthy, European adventure. Just.
Prediction: Wolves 0-1 Sevilla (Sky Bet odds: 11/2)
Wolves v Sevilla Opta stats
- Wolves and Sevilla are meeting for the very first time; Wolves have already overcome Spanish opposition this season with a 6-3 aggregate victory over Espanyol in the last 32.
- Sevilla have only lost one of their eight knockout-stage matches of major European competition against English opposition (P8 W5 D2 L1, including finals), losing 2-0 to Leicester City in the Champions League last 16 in 2016-17.
- Wolves have reached their first European quarter-final since the 1971-72 UEFA Cup – that season they defeated Juventus in the quarter-finals and Ferencváros in the semi-finals, but fell at he final hurdle to Tottenham Hotspur.
- Sevilla have reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League/UEFA Cup for the sixth time – they have gone on to win the entire tournament on all five previous occasions in which they have reached this stage.
- Sevilla are currently unbeaten in 18 games in all competitions (W9 D9) since losing a LaLiga match versus Celta Vigo in February – this is their longest ever unbeaten run as a top-flight club.
Shakhtar Donetsk v Basel
- 2000 kick-off on BT Sport 2
- Latest odds: Home 10/11 | Draw 5/2 | Away 29/10
Shakhtar Donetsk have done well to get over their final-game shocker against Atalanta that put them out of the Champions League and the Italians on what's now a dream tie in the big competition against PSG.
The Ukrainian champions are favourites to beat Basel - a strange side who finished third in the Swiss league but have saved their best football for Europe - putting out Eintracht Frankfurt in the last round was a tremendous effort.
It may not catch the eye on paper but this tie cold have the lot - with Shakhtar games this season having plenty of action in them. All 10 of their European games this season have had over 2.5 goals in while both teams have scored in seven.
Basel, though, have let in just four goals in 10 Europa League games so will provide a decent level of defensive capabilities, but Shakhtar should still be able to find the net given the likes of Taison, Marlos and Junior Moraes in their ranks.
Moraes has scored five Europa League goals this season and having opened the scoring in their last two European ties he's a solid shout for first goalscorer here (100/30).
In cases of attack versus defence I'd usually go for the rearguard to stem the creativity, but there's experience as well as skill and guile in this Donetsk side, enough to get through anyway.
Prediction: Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 Basel (Sky Bet odds: 15/2)
Best bet: Shakhtar to win & over 2.5 goals at 19/10
Shakhtar Donetsk v Basel Opta stats
- Shakhtar Donetsk and Basel have met on three previous occasions in all competitions, with the Ukrainian outfit avoiding defeat in each such clash (W2 D1), most recently running out 5-0 winners in a 2008-09 Champions League group stage match.
- Basel progressed from their only previous UEFA Europa League meeting with a Ukrainian club, beating FC Dnipro 3-1 on aggregate in the 2012-13 last 32.
- Shakhtar Donetsk have reached their first European quarter-final since 2015-16, when they did so in the UEFA Europa League, eliminating Sporting Braga before losing to Sevilla in semi-final.
- This will be Basel’s first major European quarter-final tie since the 2013-14 Europa League when they were eliminated by Valencia; they last reached the competition’s semi-final in 2012-13 having beaten Tottenham in that season’s quarter-final.
- Shakhtar’s Junior Moraes has been directly involved in 13 goals in 16 appearances in the UEFA Europa League (11 goals, 2 assists). He has also had twice as many shots (14) as any other Shakhtar player in this season’s Europa League.
Odds correct as of 1539 BST on 10/8/20
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