Sports Mole previews Thursday’s Europa League clash between Olympiacos and Braga, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Braga will be looking to claim consecutive Europa League victories when they travel to Greece for Thursday’s clash with Olympiacos.
Meanwhile, the hosts are hoping to get off the mark after they began the league phase with an away defeat against Lyon last week.
Match preview
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Olympiacos are dreaming of another successful European campaign after they made history with last season’s Europa Conference League triumph.
Jose Luis Mendilibar‘s side ousted the likes of Fenerbahce and Aston Villa, before they claimed an extra-time victory against Fiorentina in the final to become the first Greek side to win a major European trophy.
Last week, Olympiacos travelled to France to face Lyon in their first European match since that unforgettable night in Athens back in May.
Unfortunately for Olympiacos, they were unable to take anything from the contest as they fell to a 2-0 defeat following second-half efforts from Rayan Cherki and Said Benrahma.
The Thrylos bounced back to claim a much-needed win in Sunday’s league clash against Atromitos, with Rodinei and Ayoub El Kaabi finding the net in a 2-0 victory to end their side’s three-game winless run in all competitions.
That win also extended Olympiacos’ unbeaten home run to nine competitive matches, ensuring they will enter Thursday’s fixture with high hopes of recording a positive result.
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Unlike their hosts, Braga had to negotiate three rounds of qualifying to secure their place in the Europa League main draw.
The Portuguese side beat Maccabi Petah Tikva and Servette, before claiming a narrow 4-3 aggregate victory over Rapid Vienna in the playoff round.
Having made it to the main draw, Braga will be dreaming of producing a similar run that saw them reach the 2011 Europa League final.
Braga certainly made a positive start to the league phase as they fought back from a goal down to beat Maccabi Tel Aviv, with Bruma scoring an 88th-minute equaliser before netting a stoppage-time penalty to guide his team to a dramatic 2-1 win.
The 29-year-old got on the scoresheet again in Sunday’s 4-0 home win over Rio Ave, ensuring Braga have now won their last three competitive matches by a combined 9-1 scoreline.
Carlos Carvalhal’s side will now travel to Greece with hopes of prolonging their unbeaten away run, having won four and drawn two of their six away games in all competitions this season.
Olympiacos Europa League form:
Olympiacos form (all competitions):
Braga Europa League form:
Braga form (all competitions):
Team News
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Olympiacos are unable to call upon the attacking duo of Giorgos Masouras and Gelson Martins due to hamstring issues.
Francisco Ortega, Dani Garcia and Santiago Hezze could return to the side after dropping down to the bench at the weekend.
Former Chelsea winger Willian is pushing for his first Olympiacos start after featuring as a half-time substitute in Sunday’s win over Atromitos.
As for the visitors, they remain without the services of Robson Bambu, Rodrigo Zalazar and former Wolverhampton Wanderers midfield Joao Moutinho.
Andre Horta is likely to return to the Braga midfield after he dropped out of the starting lineup for Sunday’s league fixture.
Bruma came off the bench to provide a goal and an assist in the 4-0 win over Rio Ave, and the winger will have the chance to score in a fourth consecutive match when he lines up against Olympiacos on Thursday.
Olympiacos possible starting lineup:
Tzolakis; Costinha, Retsos, Carmo, Ortega; Hezze, Garcia; Rodinei, Chiquinho, Willian; El Kaabi
Braga possible starting lineup:
Matheus; Gomez, Ferreira, Niakate, Marin; Carvalho, A. Horta; Bruma, Gharbi, R Horta; Fernandez
We say: Olympiacos 2-2 Braga
Olympiacos will be desperate to make full use of home advantage by claiming all three points in Thursday’s contest, but we think they will have to settle for a share of the spoils when they go up against a Braga side that are yet to lose on their travels this season.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.