Wolves v Crusaders betting preview, free tip & TV channel

Premier Sports 1, 7.45pm Thursday

A flying visit to China probably isn’t the best preparation for Wolves’s long-awaited return to Europe although they could have spent the last 48 hours on the moon and they would still have more than enough to take care of 100-1 shots Crusaders.

The fourth-best team in Northern Ireland should be no match for the seventh-best side in England, who have just beaten Manchester City on penalties to win the Asia Cup.

That Wolves only arrived back in England on Monday will doubtless be encouraging news for Crues boss Stephen Baxter, who should also be hopeful that Raul Jimenez won’t be involved as the Mexican goal-getter only returned to training this week.

But this Europa League second qualifying round first-leg tie has home banker writ large all over it. Surely the only question is the margin of victory.

Wolves looked a class act under Nuno Espirito Santo on their return to the Premier League and their short tour of China, featuring a 4-0 drubbing of Newcastle and a 0-0 draw with champions Manchester City, illustrated that they are in decent competitive nick going into a new campaign.

Nuno will want this tie won before next Thursday’s return in Belfast so that he can ring the changes and bet365 clearly think it will be given their offer of 8-13 about the hosts winning by four goals or more.

There doesn't look to be a lot of mileage in that bet and, in a game which makes precious little appeal as a punting exercise, it may be worth having a dabble on the first half producing more goals than the second half at 9-4.

Crusaders are going to struggle to stop Wolves scoring early and getting the game won but pre-season rustiness may well result in the contest petering out as it wears on.

Recommendation
First half to be highest-scoring half
1pt 9-4 Coral, Ladbrokes
Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com

Team news
Wolves
Matt Doherty is injured. Raul Jimenez and Roman Saiss, just back from international duty, are unlikely to start.

Crusaders
Stephen Baxter has no injury worries.

Key stat
Wolves are unbeaten in their last 11 home matches.

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