Torino v Wolves
Thursday 22 August, 20:00
Torino looking to make the most of rare chance
One of the greatest teams in Italian history was the side known as Il Grande Torino, a group of players that won the Italian title five times in the 1940s before many of them were killed in what came to be known as the Superga air disaster. Their extraordinary boss Erno Egri Erbstein fought in the First World War and made a daring escape from the Nazis in World War II.
Torino recently commemorated the 70th anniversary of the Superga disaster, so it seems fitting that the club should be undertaking a European campaign, the kind of matches Erbstein would doubtless have loved. Under the experienced guidance of former Napoli, Inter and Watford boss Walter Mazzarri, Torino finished seventh in Serie A last term.
Torino’s success under Mazzarri last term was built upon sturdy foundations. They conceded just 37 goals in 38 league games, and only lost seven times. In the UEL qualifiers against weaker opposition, they have been a little more expansive, scoring 13 goals in four matches. Italian international striker Andrea Belotti remains the chief goal threat, and he has already scored four times in qualifying.
UEL a mark of Wolves’ progress
It’s been something of a dizzying journey for Wolves’ fans in recent seasons. Championship champions two seasons ago, an excellent first campaign back in the Premier League, and now a thrilling European adventure. Fans have responded well to the continental competition, flocking in their thousands to see Wolves sweep aside Crusaders and Pyunik.
Wolves have been able to strengthen their squad over the summer with eye-catching acquisitions like Real Madrid defender Jesus Vallejo and Milan striker Patrick Cutrone, and the calming influence of coach Nuno Espirito Santo has underpinned the progress. Draws at Leicester City and against Manchester United have made for a solid start to the Premier League campaign.
Nuno has taken this competition seriously so far, and he is likely to select a strong line-up. The European experience of players like Joao Moutinho, Rui Patricio and Raul Jimenez could prove important here.
Expect Wolves to come away unscathed
Wolves are a tough nut to crack, as they have already shown in the Premier League, and they have the quality to pick up a first-leg result here. Torino have a strong home record, and won four of their final six Serie A matches on home soil, but their league season is yet to start, and I wonder whether Wolves are a little further along in terms of match sharpness.
It’s never a bad thing to get two of the three possible match outcomes on your side, especially in what should be a pretty tight affair, and you can back Draw and Away here in the Double Chance market at [1.7].
Don’t be distracted by goalfests in previous rounds
Both of these sides have scored freely in the qualifiers, but this is by far the biggest test each have faced in this competition so far. Torino conceded just five goals at home in their last five Serie A games, and kept clean sheets in both UEL matches in Turin.
Wolves have conceded just one goal in their first two Premier League games, and they have conceded just once in the UEL.
I think this could be very tight, so I’ll go for Under 2.5 Goals at [1.73].
Source: BetFair Tips
