Wolfsburg takes on Sevilla in its Champions League home opener on Wednesday in a wide-open Group E. After one match, all teams are level on a point and have an opportunity to create some space in the standings.
Sevilla has started the season in undefeated fashion, albeit with a few draws, but Wolfsburg will have its work cut out for it at home. The soccer lines slightly favor Sevilla in what should be a competitive matchup.
Game: VfL Wolfsburg vs Sevilla FC
Location: Volkswagen Arena, Wolfsburg, Germany
Date/Time: Wednesday, 3 p.m. ET
| Team | Goal Line | Moneyline | Over/Under | Team Total |
| Wolfsburg | pk (+110) | +200 | 2½ (+105o) | 1½ +175o/-220u |
| Sevilla | pk (-130) | +155 | 2½ (-125u) | 1½ +150o/-180u |
| Draw | +225 |
Head to Head
These teams are slated to meet for the first time.
Wolfsburg Simmering Down
VfL Wolfsburg started the season off as one of the best soccer picks. Die Wolfe picked up four consecutive Bundesliga wins and briefly occupied first place. After a torrid start, Wolfsburg has gone winless in its last three matches in all competitions.
At the weekend, wingback Ridle Baku opened up the scoring vs Hoffenheim. However, Wolfsburg had an uncharacteristically poor day on defense, giving up a season-high three goals in the 3-1 loss. The loss was Wolfsburg’s first in the Bundesliga.
In their Champions League opener, Die Wolfe held off a squanderous Lille side after going down to 10 men. Lille had the better chances and 30 minutes to get a goal with a man advantage following John Brooks’ red card, but couldn’t manage.
The match ended in a scoreless draw and Wolfsburg was lucky to escape with a point. Lille had a penalty and a goal overturned by VAR and Wolfsburg didn’t even manage a shot in the first half.
Brooks will miss this match due to suspension. Expect Sebastiaan Bornauw to start in his place.
Sevilla Still Unbeaten
Sevilla, winners of three consecutive Europa League titles from 2014 to 2016 and once again in 2020, is a difficult team to break down. With Barcelona floundering, Sevilla could have an opportunity to win La Liga. However, Sevilla was incredibly fortunate to come out of its Champions League opener with a draw.
RB Salzburg and Sevilla set a Champions League record with four penalties in the first half of their matchup. RB Salzburg missed two of its penalties and converted another, while Ivan Rakitic put his away for Sevilla.
Like Wolfsburg, Sevilla went down a man in its Champions League opener after striker Youssef En-Nesyri was given a second yellow card for diving. It certainly wasn’t pretty, but Sevilla held on for 45 nerve-wracking minutes as it escaped with a point in a 1-1 draw.
Third in La Liga, with a game in hand on the two teams ahead of it, Sevilla has won two consecutive league matches and been a good pick for betting online.
At the weekend, Sevilla shut out Espanyol in a 2-0 win and managed to add the insurance goal following a Thomas Delaney red card. Delaney is available for selection vs Wolfsburg but En-Nesyri will have to sit out this Champions League clash.
Prediction
Sevilla has conceded just one goal in three away matches and has a stellar defense. Center back Jules Kounde drew all sorts of attention this summer but remains a Sevilla player until at least January.
I think the Sevilla defense will be able to handle Wout Weghorst and Wolfsburg’s other attacking options. Whether the visitors will manage to get a goal without En-Nesyri is another story. But, Erik Lamela and Rafa Mir have a combined five La Liga goals despite starting just three games between them.
Wolfsburg will be vulnerable in defense with Brooks out and has displayed some concerning form as of late. At +155 in the sportsbook, Sevilla looks like a great bet here.
