Wolverhampton vs Torino Predictions

A two-legged tie against Serie A opponents was never going to be a walk in the park for Wolves, though they have given themselves every chance of progressing after winning 3-2 away from home. With both an aggregate lead and three away goals in the bag, Wolves are very much in the driving seat ahead of this second leg.

Prior to facing Torino, Wolves had enjoyed something of a kind passage in Europa League qualifying. Without disrespecting either of their opponents, Crusaders and Pyunik were never going to test the Premier League side, though they certainly didn’t have it easy in Turin a week ago. Against Serie A opposition, Wolves found themselves in a real scrap, but as a side that knows how to stay in games, such conditions seemingly suited Nuno Espírito Santo’s men.

Last week, for the first time in qualifying, Wolves were hurt defensively, as they surrendered two goals and 1.76 expected goals for. Fortunately, at the other end of the pitch, their quality pulled them through. On the balance of play, as they were bettered in terms of shots, shots on target and expected goals, Wolves probably were fortunate to leave Italy with a lead, but they won’t care about that, while as they were more clinical than their opponents, the English side will feel that their victory was warranted.

Torino will be encouraged by the fact that they got at a tough Wolves’ back-line last week, though their recent away efforts don’t exactly bode well ahead of a trip to Molineux. During the previous round, despite winning comfortably at home, Torino struggled to contain Belarusian side Shakhtyor, who created 1.5 expected goals for when drawing 1-1 with the Italians. What’s more, although they had too much class for Hungarian side Debrecen, Torino were still unable to keep a clean sheet on the road, as they surrendered 1.6 expected goals. Such numbers will have Wolves feeling confident ahead of Thursday’s clash.

Given that Wolves, despite not being at the best, made light work of notching goals against a Torino back-line that isn’t too strong, ‘Wolves to Score Over 1.5 Goals’ catches the eye ahead of the second leg. If we add in the fact that Torino must take risks as they look for vital away goals, as well as the fact that the visitors have struggled to contain sides weaker than Wolves when playing on the road during qualifying, then the early price on offer starts to look slightly generous.