Wednesday, October 21, Marseille begins its C1 campaign with a trip to the lawn of Olympiakos. Both teams will want to win this first meeting in their group.
Olympiacos Piraeus vs Marseille Soccer Betting Tips
Present in the Champions League last season, Olympiakos finished only in 3rd place in their group behind Bayern and Tottenham but ahead of Red Star Belgrade. Then transferred to the Europa League, the players of Piraeus then dismissed Arsenal in the round of 16 before falling against Wolverhampton in the 1/8 round. On the other hand, on the national scene, Mathieu Valbuena’s partners flew over the Greek championship, finishing champion with 18 lengths ahead of their first pursuer, PAOK Salonika. This season, they started the season well by winning 2 wins in the first 2 days but they were held in check by PAS Giannina (1-1) before the break. Back in the league this weekend, they easily dismissed Atromitos (4-0). To win their ticket for this Champions League, the Greeks dismissed Omonia Nicosia (2-0, 0-0) during the month of September.
Often disappointing in recent seasons, Marseille has finally achieved a full season last year by ranking 2nd in Ligue 1, quite far from PSG all the same. Whatever, the Olympians are happy to return to the Champions League after a 7-year absence. However, they are not given confidence in their first games of the season. If they succeeded in their comeback by winning against Brest (2-3) then a reduced PSG (0-1), the Phocaeans were surprised at home by Saint-Etienne (0-2). This defeat clearly disrupted the Marseillais who then shared the points 3 times with Lille (1-1), Metz (1-1) and Lyon (1-1) just before the truce. Before this entry into the running in this Champions League, they won against Bordeaux (3-1).
Staff for Olympiacos Piraeus vs Marseille
Olympiakos cannot count on the replacement defender Vinagre, the little-used midfielder Tiago Silva and the Belgian striker Cuypers who are all out of form. We find in this formation several former Ligue 1. This is the case of defender Cissé (ex Ajaccio), midfielders Camara (ex Ajaccio), M’Vila (ex Rennes) and Valbuena (ex Marseille) and the top scorer, El-Arabi (ex Caen), author of 5 goals during the first 4 days of the championship. Also, note the presence of very experienced defenders Rafinha (ex Bayern) and Papadopulos (38 caps for the Greek national team).
Suspended this weekend against Bordeaux, playmaker Dimitri Payet is expected to return for this match. Recruited respectively by Bayern and Sassuolo, right side Sarr and midfielder Maxime Lopez are no longer there. On the other hand, the young recruits Cuisance and Luis Henrique both made their first against Bordeaux. Saturday night, Florian Thauvin was illustrated by scoring a very good goal before failing to convert a penalty.
The compositions for Olympiacos Piraeus vs Marseille
The probable composition of Olympiakos:
José Sa – Rafinha, Ruben Semedo, Ba, Holebas – Camara, Bouchalakis – Masouras, Fortounis, Valbuena – Koka.
Absent: Vinagre, Tiago Silva, Cuypers (injured).
Uncertain: To come.
The planned tactical disposition (4-2-3-1):
José Sa
Rafinha – Ruben Semedo – Ba – Holebas
Camara – Bouchalakis
Masouras – Fortounis – Valbuena
Koka
The probable composition of Marseille:
Mandanda – Sakaï, Caleta-Car, Alvaro, Amavi – Sanson, Kamara, Rongier – Thauvin, Benedetto, Payet (or Luis Henrique).
Absent: None.
Uncertain: To come.
The planned tactical disposition (4-3-3):
Mandanda
Sakai – Caleta-Car – Alvaro – Amavi
Sanson – Kamara – Rongier
Thauvin – Benedetto – Payet
The history of the confrontations Olympiacos Piraeus vs Marseille
In history, the two clubs have met 4 times. Marseille had won the first two duels in the group stage during the 1994-1995 season. Then, OM won the first leg (0-1) in the group stage in the 2011-2012 Champions League before losing in the return (0-1).
The meeting will take place with a very limited number of spectators (30% of the stadium capacity).
The key points for the match Olympiacos Piraeus vs Marseille
– Marseille have not played in the Champions League for 6 years now.
– The two teams remain on success this weekend.
– Marseille seems to have more quality on paper.
– The Olympiakos evolves in a championship all the same rather weak.
Olympiacos Piraeus vs Marseille Soccer Betting Tips
Faced with what is arguably the most affordable opponent in this group, Marseille could come and make a result in Greece. Draw or win for Marseille!
Betting Tips: Draw or victory for Marseille
Odds: 1.53
