Nantes vs Olympiacos Piraeus prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-09-07 19:00.
As Nantes prepare for their first ever UEFA Europa League (UEL) group game courtesy of their Coupe de France triumph last term, they may be hoping for a similar jaunt to their UEFA Champions League semi-final run of 1995/96. Despite being one of France’s most decorated clubs, replicating that run seems unlikely at present and accordingly, they’ve been installed among the outsiders for the trophy after just one win in their first six league games of the season (D3, L2).
Encouragingly though, Nantes won all four home games the last time they played in this competition’s predecessor (UEFA Cup) back in 2000/01, and they’re also undefeated in two previous home meetings with Greek clubs (W1, D1) ahead of the visit of Olympiacos. Although beaten 3-0 here by PSG on Saturday, that was at least their first home league defeat since March (W3, D3).
Olympiacos dropped into the UEL after failing to negotiate the Champions League (UCL) qualifiers but made headlines recently by signing former Real Madrid defender Marcelo. The Brazilian adds star quality to a squad that’s made an unbeaten start to their Greek Super League campaign (W2, D1), and one that hasn’t tasted defeat in seven competitive matches (W4, D3), although they needed penalties to see off both Slovan Bratislava and Apollon Limassol to reach this stage.
While they’re now UEL regulars, with this their fifth-consecutive appearance in the competition, Olympiacos are not renowned for their travelling form, losing their last three UEL proper away games. This trip may not be a fruitful one either as Olympiacos have lost five of their previous seven European games in France (W2), with all five defeats coming via the exact same 2-1 scoreline after the first half produced exactly one goal!
Players to watch: Nantes’ summer signing Mostafa Mohamed has now scored seven consecutive club goals after half-time. After 20,000 Olympiacos fans turned out to welcome him on Saturday, Marcelo is poised for his UEL debut after winning the UCL five times with Madrid.
Hot stat: Three of Olympiacos’ four UEL games this term produced scoring after the 85th minute.