WOLVES could easily have slipped up when they travelled over 3000 miles to Armenia for their Europa League clash with Pyunik just days before the start of the Premier League campaign.
The game in Yerevan had all the hallmarks of a tricky away day but Nuno Espirito Santo's side strolled it, romping to a 4-0 victory that makes this Molineux return the deadest of rubbers.
Wanderers are trekking into Europe for the first time since 1980 on competitive duty and that triumph in Armenia was their biggest ever victory on the continent.
Their biggest European home win is a 5-o victory over Austria Vienna in 1961 but many people expected them to top that in the last round against Northern Irish side Crusaders. However, I thought it would take them time to click into gear and made a few quid by backing Wolves to score under 4.5 goals.
It looked like they would only manage one from Diogo Jota before Ruben Vinagre added a second deep into stoppage time. But with more training and match sharpness under their belts, Santo's troops smashed home four in the return then another four in Armenia.
Many people expected the goals to keep flowing in the Premier League opener at Leicester but it ended in a stalemate, with a Leander Dendoncker strike ruled out by VAR.
Despite Pyunik's lack of class, I can't see Wolves topping that record 5-0 Euro win in this tie as Santo is bound to make sweeping changes with a view to their next league game against Manchester United on Monday.
That makes both teams to score an attractive proposition at 11/8 with 888 Sport as Pyunik have only failed to score three times in their last 22 games in all competitions.
The odds should have increased a little for doubling that with a Wolves win but they remain the same at 11/8 so it's pointless adding that to the equation in case Pyunik pull off a shock draw or win on the night.
Our man Slips thought new boy Patrick Cutrone might get a goal in the first leg but he was only introduced off the bench and didn't have time to open his account.
The Italian should get the full 90 minutes here but he's only 7/10 for anytime scorer so try backing him to get two or more at 3/1 with Skybet or 15/8 with Bet365. As Slips flagged up in his preview, Cutrone hit 10 Europa League goals in 18 games for old club Milan so he knows what it takes to score in this competition.
Plenty of fringe players could get a runout for Wolves so there's value to be had in the anytime scorer market away from the big-name stars. Adama Traore always impresses me with his searing pace and I think Santo doesn't use that weapon often enough. If he starts here, after missing the first leg due to passport problems, then back Traore at 21/10 with Skybet or 6/4 with Betway to net at any time.
This UEFA Europa League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Pyunik will be played on Aug 15, 2019 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Pyunik prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
I’ve napped under 4.5 mgls at 11/10 but it’s now dropped to 4/5.
Expecting us to make some changes with Man U at home coming Monday. Don’t rate Traore myself, blistering pace and can clearly take a man on but unfortunately lacks a footballing brain and as a result produces very little…. but that’s a whole other debate.
Personally think we will take it 2nil tonight. So under 4.5 is my thinking personally
Under 4.5 sounds like a good shout. My Traore watching is mainly limited to highlights on Match of the Day so that’s probably why he catches my eye. Your assessment sums up why he doesn’t play all that much. Still hoping he can make me a few quid in this one though
Does stand a chance as he is likely to play. Don’t rate him unfortunately; I think he has improved under Nuno though. Every chance he can get into position though and I’d expect him to have more opportunities tonight as I don’t think Pyunick would live with his pace at all. He’s just not going to make it in the prem imho but I’d love to be proven wrong.
Think we could see the new guys start too. Valleja and Cutrone are nailed on I’d expect. Expecting Ruddy to start in goal too.
At a guess I’d say we could look something like this:
Ruddy
Vallejo coady (maybe Bennett still)
Vinagre dendoncker. saiss (neves and moutinho alternating) Traore
Cutrone Jota/Jimenez alternating
My likely team set up didn’t format as well as it looked on my screen haha
Not too far off with your team. Looking forward to seeing some of the fringe players