Qarabag vs Olympiacos Piraeus prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-10-12 16:45.
Azerbaijan’s QarabaÄź and Greece’s Olympiacos share the same trait of being their nations sole representatives in European competition this season and will meet for the second successive matchday in UEFA Europa League (UEL) Group G. QarabaÄź recorded their second successive 3-0 win in the competition when stunning the Greeks in Piraeus last round, extending their 100% record against Greek opponents to three matches – without conceding a goal.
The Horsemen return to Baku, the venue for their other 3-0 win over French outfit Nantes, with that result securing only their third home win in the UEL group stages (D7, L9), meaning they can now aim for consecutive home victories in the competition proper for the very first time. Doing so will put the reigning Azerbaijan league and cup champions in good stead to progress from their group, as they sit three points behind leaders Freiburg.
Olympiacos secured a record-extending 47th league title last season, but haven't lived up to their tag as champions so far in domestic action or on the continent, where they’ve lost all three of their group games this UEL campaign while registering only a single goal in the process. They did produce a morale-boosting 2-1 win away from home over the weekend against OFI Crete, something re-appointed manager MĂchel might want to leverage as he looks to avoid the UEL Group G wooden spoon.
Kickstarting that process with a continental away trip is hardly ideal for Olympiacos, who’ve lost six of their ten UEL group stage away games (W3, D1). They can call on a win in Azerbaijan to garner some confidence though, beating Neftçi 1-0 in last season's UEFA Champions League second qualifying round.
Players to watch: Qarabağ’s Owusu has scored four of his six goals this season on the continental scene, with the most recent two serving as the match opener. In contrast, Olympiacos forward Cédric Bakambu could prove dangerous late on since four of his last seven goals have all come after the 75th minute.
Hot stat: There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 15 of Qarabağ’s last 18 European matches.