Real Madrid journey to Greece on Wednesday chasing a small slice of historical past. Regardless of their lengthy file in Europe, Los Blancos have by no means overwhelmed Olympiacos away from dwelling within the Champions League.
Olympiacos enter the evening close to the foot of the general desk with two factors from 4 matches, whereas Madrid sit in seventh place after amassing 9 factors thus far. The hosts have taken attracts in opposition to FC Pafos and PSV Eindhoven however misplaced to Arsenal and Barcelona, leaving them in a troublesome place with two matchdays remaining.
The Greek champions do a minimum of return to European responsibility in good home kind. A 3-0 win over Atromitos on the weekend saved them two factors clear on the prime of the Tremendous League, they usually have put collectively a five-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
Crucially, Olympiacos have additionally by no means been overwhelmed by Actual Madrid in Piraeus, with three of the 4 dwelling conferences ending degree and one victory coming again in December 2005.
Madrid, in the meantime, make the journey with out the momentum often related to them. Since beating Valencia 4-0 in early November, they’ve gone three video games with no win, drawing with Rayo Vallecano and Elche and shedding to Liverpool of their most up-to-date Champions League outing.
Their European marketing campaign began strongly with victories over Marseille, Kairat Almaty and Juventus earlier than the slender loss at Anfield, leaving them in an inexpensive place heading into the ultimate fixtures.
Nevertheless, the strain round Xabi Alonso’s facet has grown in current weeks, with Spanish media questioning outcomes and gamers privately hinting at uncertainty concerning the course of the staff.
Crew information for Olympiacos v Actual Madrid
Olympiacos stay with out Alexandros Paschalakis and Konstantinos Angelakis, however Jose Luis Mendilibar in any other case has a full group to select from.
Dani Garcia is one reserving away from suspension however is anticipated to start out, bringing years of La Liga expertise right into a fixture the place composure will matter.
Ayoub El Kaabi continues to steer the road after scoring 10 objectives in 16 video games this season, with Daniel Podence set to function from the flank.
Actual Madrid nonetheless have a number of damage considerations. Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao and Franco Mastantuono are dominated out, whereas Antonio Rudiger, Aurelien Tchouameni and David Alaba will likely be assessed nearer to kick-off.
Alonso is anticipated to refresh his midfield, with Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga more likely to return alongside Vinicius Junior.
A slight shift in form is feasible, with Jude Bellingham working behind a entrance pairing of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius. Trent Alexander-Arnold may retain his place after beginning in opposition to Elche.
Anticipated line-ups for Olympiacos v Actual Madrid
Olympiacos: Tzolakis; Rodinei, Retsos, Pirola, Ortega; Garcia, Mouzakitis; Martins, Chiquinho, Podence; El Kaabi
Actual Madrid: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Camavinga, Guler; Bellingham; Mbappe, Vinicius
Methods to watch Olympiacos v Actual Madrid: TV channel, on-line stream
The match will likely be broadcast stay within the UK on TNT Sports activities, with on-line protection additionally out there on the invention+ app. The sport will kick-off at 8pm GMT in Greece.
The stats for Olympiacos v Actual Madrid
- Olympiacos have by no means misplaced at dwelling to Actual Madrid in European competitors
- Actual Madrid’s final win on this fixture got here in 2007, and every of their 4 victories over Olympiacos have been in Spain
- Olympiacos are unbeaten of their final 5 matches in all competitions, with 4 wins in that run
- Madrid have conceded the primary objective in three of their final 4 matches throughout all competitions
- Ayoub El Kaabi has scored 10 objectives in 16 appearances this season and has discovered the web in 5 dwelling matches
- Actual Madrid have scored in 20 consecutive Champions League league-phase or group-stage away video games
Prediction
Olympiacos
1
–
2
Actual Madrid
Olympiacos’ sturdy dwelling file in opposition to Madrid and their present home kind make this a far trickier process for the Spanish champions than the league desk suggests. Madrid haven’t seemed absolutely convincing in current weeks, however the high quality of their entrance line ought to ultimately give them the sting.
