FCSB vs Olympiacos Piraeus prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-11-27 20:00.
[p]Through their opening four matches in the league phase of this year’s UEFA Europa League (UEL), FCSB have picked up nine points (W3, L1) to firmly establish themselves as challengers for a top eight finish. A 3-0 Liga I victory over the weekend boosted the hosts’ title hopes in the Romanian top-flight, and will have raised spirits even further ahead of this showdown with Olympiacos.[/p]
[p]There’s additional positive omens at play for FCSB ahead of kick-off here, as they enter this latest home outing having won 13 of their last 20 home UEL matches (D3, L4 – ex qualifiers). That includes two wins in this season’s league phase by a combined 6-1 scoreline, both helped by quick starts as each match has witnessed Elias Charalambous’s side take the lead before the 20-minute mark. [/p]
[p]According to UEFA’s club coefficient rankings, Olympiacos provide FCSB with their toughest home fixture to date in this competition, especially as the Greek side enter here sat just two points behind their opposition. A 1-1 draw with Rangers last time out highlighted their ability to grind out positive results when needed, and that stalemate could give them the psychological edge as the Scottish side remain the only team to defeat FCSB in the league phase so far.[/p]
[p]An impressive 4-1 victory against rivals AEK Athens at the weekend will have further heightened spirits in the away dressing room ahead of their European return, especially as that result kept Olympiacos top of the Greek Super League table. The visitors have found some impressive form on their travels in continental competition of late too, winning four of their last six away major European matches (L2), as many as in their previous 28 such games combined (W4, D3, L21)![/p]
[p]Key battle: Daniel Bîrligea remains FCSB’s lucky charm, with each of his last seven goalscoring appearances ending in victory. Olympiacos’ Ayoub El Kaabi has been in stunning form on the European stage since he joined the club, netting 18 goals across 19 major European appearances, including the opener vs Rangers last time out. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Only three teams have won fewer corners than FCSB’s 13 in the UEL league phase this season. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Nathan Evans[/i][/p]