Pyunik Yerevan vs Wolves
UEFA Europa League, KO: 17:00 Aug 8, 2019, Republican Stadium -Vazgen Sargsyan
WOLVES will find themselves in the wilderness just three days prior to their English Premier League campaign getting underway as they face an arduous journey to Armenia for Thursday's Europa League third-round qualifier against Pyunik Yerevan.
A laborious 6370 mile round trip awaits Nuno Espirito Santo's side for this first-leg but the bookmakers believe that Wolves won't have any difficulties when they do arrive in Armenia with an away win priced as short as 1/5 (Bet 365)
The Armenian Premier League outfit go into this tie as big underdogs with a home win priced as high as 16/1 (William Hill) and even the draw is deemed unlikely at 11/2 (William Hill) with the same firm.
Yet, Pyunik have progressed through two qualifiers to reach this stage after seeing off FK Shkupi of Macedonian before notably knocking out Czech side FK Jablonec.
Furthermore, Andrei Talalayev's team boast an impressive recent run of form that has seen him them go five games unbeaten in all competitions and only suffer one defeat in their last 17 outings.
Wolves meanwhile qualified for European football for the first time in 39 years on the back of a brilliant season that saw the newly promoted side secure a lofty 7th placed finish in the English Premier League.
On their return to the European stage Wolves cruised past Northern Irish side Crusaders in the last round winning 6-1 on aggregate to set up this gruelling jaunt to Yerevan.
The Wanderers have wealth of attacking talent at their disposal and flexed their muscles after an early scare in Northern Ireland last week by responding with four away goals.
Santo's side will be keen to carry that form into this qualifier but they are coming up against a side who have scored in nine of their last 10 home games in this competition – including five goals from two home games this season.
In addition to that Pyunik have only failed to score twice in their last 20 matches in all competitions so they clearly carry an attacking threat and could trouble Wolves.
However, the Armenians have an alarming defensive record that has seen them only register two clean-sheets in their last 11 matches.
Furthermore, three of Yerevan's last four Europa League outings have seen both teams get on the score-sheet and a repeat of that on Thursday evening is an enticing 23/20 (Boylesports)
Wolves will be aiming to make the most of their opponents defensive woes and one man who could profit from that is new recruit Patrick Cutrone.
The Italian striker has swapped Milan for the Midlands for a reported £16m and could be in line to make his Wolves debut in a competition that he has previously flourished in.
Cutrone clocked up 10 Europa League strikes in 18 appearances for AC Milan and could add to that should he get the nod ahead of Raul Jiminez who limped out of last weeks win in Belfast.
Should Cutrone start then consider the 11/10 (Bet 365) on offer for the talented 21 year old to score anytime.
Even in the event of Cutrone being on the bench the odds on him scoring anytime could still be worth contemplating as Wanderer's superior fitness and substitutes could see them score in the latter stages of this third-round qualifier.
What's more the Molineux men scored late goals in the last round and with that in mind value could lie in backing the 2nd half to be the highest scoring half at 21/20 (Betway) in Armenia on night where Wolves supremacy should see them secure a first-leg advantage.
This UEFA Europa League match between Pyunik Yerevan and Wolves will be played on Aug 8, 2019 and kick off at 17:00. Check below for our tipsters best Pyunik Yerevan vs Wolves prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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