Wolves vs Espanyol preview
Follow Wolves vs Espanyol on Sky Sports' digital platform with a dedicated live blog from 6.45pm
Thursday 20 February 2020 21:01, UK
Team news, stats and predictions as Wolves host Espanyol in the last 32 of the Europa League.
Team news
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo has no new injury concerns ahead of the clash with Espanyol.
However, Ruben Vinagre does remain sidelined with the hamstring problem he suffered in the FA Cup defeat by Manchester United last month.
"He is out, but he is really close to returning and joining the group again," Nuno said ahead of the game at Molineux.
Meanwhile, Espanyol will be without January signing Raul de Tomas, who has scored five goals in five games for them.
Opta stats
- Wolves' only previous meeting with Spanish opponents came in the 1959-60 European Cup quarter-final, where they were eliminated by Barcelona 2-9 on aggregate (0-4 away, 2-5 at home).
- Espanyol's only previous meeting with English opponents was in the second round of the 1961-62 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, eliminating Birmingham City 5-3 on aggregate (0-1 away, 5-2 at home).
- In a run stretching back to October 1973, Wolves have won nine of their last 10 home games in all European competitions - losing only against Braga on MD1 this season.
- The last time Espanyol were in the knockout stages of a major European competition they ended up reaching the final, eventually losing on penalties against Sevilla in the 2006-07 UEFA Cup.
- Including qualifiers, Raúl Jiménez has been involved in 12 goals in his 11 games in European competition for Wolves this season, scoring nine and assisting three.
Charlie Nicholas' prediction
Espanyol played well against Sevilla, and Barcelona a couple of weeks ago, and in the past have been technically good. These sides have a typical Spanish feel and can be very dangerous at times. I do not think they will sit in and suffocate. If they play on the counter-attack they will play it well, but they will still want to have an influence on the game. Wolves were unlucky and should have got the three points against Leicester. This is the type of game that Wolves will enjoy.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: 2-0 (6/1 with Sky Bet)
