Wolves vs Crusaders in the Europa League
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Wolves were one of the surprise packages of last season’s Premier League campaign. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side finished seventh in the English top-flight after only winning promotion the previous season.
On Thursday night, the side from the Midlands get their reward for their hard work last season, as they host Northern Ireland outfit Crusaders Belfast in the Europa League second qualifying round first leg.
The English side has a great history. However, they have struggled for success in recent years and have not played European football since season 1980/81. Wolves biggest European moment came in a two-legged UEFA Cup final defeat back in 1972, which they lost 3-2 on aggregate to compatriots Tottenham.
The home side has yet to bring in any notable squad additions this summer, although have confirmed the permanent signings of loan stars Raul Jimenez and Leandro Dendoncker.
Santo’s team has some top-quality players and they will be expected to cruise past their fellow British outfit into the play-off stage.
There is little in Crusaders recent history in this competition to suggest that the Northern Irish side are capable of holding a team full of international players.
The visitors had an easy passage to this stage of the competition, hammering Faroe Islanders B36 5-2 on aggregate. The victory means they are unbeaten in three games in the competition, but their recent record in the Europa League is inconsistent. Wolves are a massive step-up in class from their last opponents, too.
Crusaders away record is more poor than inconsistent, as they have played nine games on their travels in the Europa League since 2009, suffering seven defeats and picking up two wins.
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