Olympiacos Piraeus vs Braga prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-10-02 16:45.
[p]A week after beginning their UEFA Europa League (UEL) campaign with a 2-0 loss in Lyon, Olympiacos will look to secure their first win of the league stage against Braga. Their defeat in France made it three games without a victory across all competitions (D1, L2) but manager José Luis Mendilibar, who won the UEL with Sevilla in 2022/23 and the Conference League with Olympiacos last season, saw his side get back on track with a 2-0 home victory against Atromitos on Sunday.[/p]
[p]Once again at the Karaiskakis Stadium for this contest, the locals could well be in for an entertaining clash as their side’s European home matches averaged over 3.5 goals per game last season! They might be confident of watching their team score a few in an Olympiacos victory here too, considering they begin this fixture with a strong home record of seven wins from ten (L3) against Portuguese sides.[/p]
[p]But Braga may fancy their chances of improving that record in Greece as they are unbeaten across their seven European games so far this season, although their results away from home have dipped, reflecting the increased strength of opponents in each round. The Archbishops began with a 5-0 win against Maccabi Petah Tikvah in the second qualifying round, before a 2-1 victory at Servette in the third before securing qualification for the league phase thanks to a 2-2 draw against Rapid Wien.[/p]
[p]Manager Carlos Carvalhal has only been in charge of the last two of those results, but he will not be short of motivation here after being dismissed by Olympiacos after only 11 matches last season! And perhaps nothing would be sweeter for him than a repeat of matchday one in this tournament which saw Braga strike in the 88th and 95th minute to beat Maccabi Tel Aviv 2-1.[/p]
[p]Key battle: Olympiacos wing-back Rodinei got on the scoresheet at the Karaiskakis Stadium on Sunday, and he impressed at home in the group stage of the UEL last season with a goal and two assists in the three games. He’ll face Braga winger Bruma, who has scored four times in the last three games, with all of those goals coming no earlier than the 83rd minute![/p]
[p]Hot streak: Olympiacos have not conceded a first half goal across their last nine home games.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Tom Penn[/i][/p]