FC Porto vs Olympiacos Piraeus prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – League phase betting tips on match 2025-01-22 17:45.
[p]Porto’s hopes of UEFA Europa League (UEL) progression hang in the balance with two games left, as their tally of eight points means they currently sit just inside the top-24. A result such as the vital 2-0 win over Midtjylland on matchday six would serve them well here, as otherwise the Portuguese outfit will be feeling the pressure of potentially exiting a UEFA competition before the knockout stage for the first time since 2005/06.[/p]
[p]That could be the case if their poor start to 2025 continues having lost their three games so far this year, a run that has ultimately cost VĂtor Bruno his job. The Dragons might see the arrival of Olympiacos as a form of respite then, since they’ve lost just one of their last six meetings with Greek opposition (W4, D1), with the most recent two games in that run being a pair of 2-0 wins over their upcoming visitors back in 2020.[/p]
[p]Those defeats aren’t the last time Olympiacos faced a side from Portugal however, as they resoundingly put Braga to the sword earlier in this UEL campaign (3-0). The Greeks followed up that result with a 1-0 victory over Swedish outfit Malmö before drawing their last three UEL games, which puts them just a point ahead of Porto and also in need of a positive result or two to secure progression.[/p]
[p]That objective should be within reach for José Luis Mendilibar’s men, especially considering they’re unbeaten in 16 matches across all competitions (W10, D6). Olympiacos’ UEL away form this season is perhaps cause for some concern though, as they have won just one of their three such matches this term (D1, L1).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Porto’s Danny Namaso settled the nerves with a goal inside the opening half-hour against Midtjylland, and he’ll be looking to get his side going again here since his last seven goals have all come in home wins. Attempting to steal the headlines however will be Santiago Hezze, who scored for Olympiacos against Braga to extend his unbeaten streak when finding the net for his team on the day to 11 matches (W9, D2).[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Porto are undefeated in 13 home games this season (W12, D1), keeping ten clean sheets.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Peter Stavrinou[/i][/p]