Olympiacos Piraeus – Maccabi Tel Aviv : Preview & Prediction
Olympiacos got the job done in the UEFA Europa Conference League playoff round, beating Ferencváros 2-0 on aggregate to advance to the round of 16. Since the sacking of Carlos Carvalhal following a 2-0 loss to Panathinaikos early last month, the Greek giants have been on imperious form, winning seven consecutive games and conceding just three goals over the course of that run.
They may need to maintain that form in this clash against Maccabi Tel Aviv as they look to overcome a major psychological hurdle, as Olympiacos have been eliminated in the round of 16 no fewer than eight times since the turn of the century. New coach Jose Luis Mendilibar will not be looking to the club’s record against Israeli opponents for inspiration either, having won just once (E3, P4) in eight of those matches.
That solitary win came against Maccabi Tel Aviv in the third qualifying round of the 2010/2011 Europa League, but that result will not sway the mindset of Robbie Keane’s men, who topped Group B and reached the first European Round of 16 in the club’s history. Like Olympiacos, the Israeli side are on a good run, having won four and drawn one of their last five matches since an early February loss to rivals Maccabi Haifa.
Prior to their visit to the Karaiskakis Stadium, Maccabi Tel Aviv boasts a very positive record against Greek teams, having lost only four of 12 meetings (G8). And with a historic quadruple still a possibility, Keane will be confident that his players can get off to a strong start in the first leg, having scored in the first half of the five group games this season in which they have seen opposing goals.
Players to watch: After a seven-game goalless drought for club and country, Ayoub El Kaabi has scored an incredible ten goals in seven games for Olympiacos since then, including the winning goal in both clashes against Ferencváros. Milson has scored in each of Maccabi’s last three outings, and in each of the last seven appearances in which he has scored his team has avoided defeat (G6, E1).
Big Fact: In only one of Olympiacos’ last 11 games have both teams scored before halftime.
Olympiacos Piraeus – Maccabi Tel Aviv : Betting Tips
Olympiacos Piraeus – Win Odds: 1.75
