The Europa League resumed yesterday with Manchester United and Inter Milan all picking up vital victories at home against LASK and Getafe respectively.
Another Premier League side, Wolves would be hoping they get the needed victory or goal less draw against a stubborn Olympiacos side that eliminated Arsenal in round 32 to secure a place in the last 8.
The Premier League side who failed to secure a top for finish or a top six finish will be aiming for a place in Europe by winning the UEFA Europa League but they will have to deal with the threat of Greece Champions Olympiacos.
In time past, several clubs such as Chelsea, Sevilla and even Athletico Madrid have used the competition as a route to get back to Europe. Chelsea who finished outside the top four in 2013 were able to win the Europa League and hence were guaranteed an automatic place in the next season’s group stage of the UEFA Champions League.
It is never going to be an easy task for Nuno Espirito Santos’ men who will be hoping to win their first piece of silverware as a group in Europe.
Inter Milan who have secured a first leg victory over Getafe are one of the favourites to win the competition so also is Manchester United, Leverkusen, Basel, Copenhagen and Shakhtar Donetsk who secured a comfortable win over Wolfsburg courtesy of late goals from Junior Moraes and Manor Solomon within a space of 6 minutes.
It will be a big ask for Wolverhampton Wanderers especially if one is expecting them to win the title this season. What are the obstacles they might encounter in their journey to the final?
Sportmata’s Matheson takes a look at the opponents Wolves are likely to meet on their way to lifting the trophy
Here is the route they will have to navigate to the Final
1. Sevilla or Roma (Quarter Finals)
In an event Raul Jimenez and his teammates are able to navigate past Olympiacos, they will likely face Sevilla or Roma, with the Spanish side shere favourite to win the encounter. Sevilla are a side that knows the Europa League very well, having won it back to back in 2014 and 2015 under the Stewardship of Unai Emery.
2. Manchester United or Copenhagen (Semi finals)
After United secured their place in the last 8, they are up against Copenhagen in the quarter Finals. Wolves will have to get ready for a fight against any of the two sides for a place in the final.
Wolves who are more of a threat to Manchester United than to Copenhagen will hope United defeats the Denmark based club.
Clashes between United and Wolves in the past have always being heated encounters with draws being the major result.
3. Inter Milan or Leverkusen (Finals)
Wolves are likely to face either of Leverkusen or Inter Milan in the final. With Leverkusen already having one foot in the Quarter Finals ahead of Rangers whom they face today.
Inter Milan who are now left with the Europa League as their only source of a silverware are also favourites to reach the finals. With goal king Romelu Lukaku ready to add his tally of 30+ goals in all competitions this season.
A lot will be expected of Wolves if they must secure a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League by winning the Europa League but in the mean time they have .to deal with the immediate threat of Olympiacos who will be aiming to eliminate two English Premier League side on a bounce.
Question
Do you think Wolves have what it takes to reach the UEFA Europa League finals and win it?
Let us hear your view in the comments section below, don’t forget to click the follow button too. Thanks for reading have a wonderful evening.