Olympiacos vs Arsenal
Champions League
Date: Wednesday 7th November, 2015
Time: 19:45 BST
Venue: Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus
A beat-up and injury depleted Arsenal head to the Greek capital on Wednesday needing to win by a scoreline other than 1-0 or 2-1 in order to reach the knockout stages of this season’s Champions League.
Arsene Wenger’s side have never failed to make it past the first group stage of this competition this millennium but face an uphill battle if they’re to keep that run going this season.
Olympiacos were 3-2 winners at the Emirates in matchday 2 meaning the Gunners will need to score at least twice in the final group game if they’re to progress.
Arsenal may have to do it without Alexis Sanchez and Santi Cazorla whom are both doubtful for this fixture with injuries. They join Francis Coquelin, Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck, Tomas Rosicky and Mikel Arteta.
The Greek side have won all 12 of their Superleague games back home but have been hammered 3-0 at home by Bayern Munich and 4-0 at the Allianz Arena when the Germans were down to 10 men. These results must give the Premier League side a big boost.
Arsenal are actually at good odds to win in Greece and great odds to progress to the next round, so it’s worth taking a look at http://bonuscodebets.co.uk/ to make some money on the night.
Olympiacos vs Arsenal Team News
Olympiacos team news
There are no serious injuries for the home side but the experienced duo of Alejandro Dominguez and Giannis Maniatis are both ruled out.
Arsenal team news
As mentioned, Wenger is limited with the number of midfielders available. The loss of both Sanchez and Cazorla would be massive as it limits both the creativity going forward and protection in front of the back four. Additional pressure will be on the shoulders of Mesut Ozil to create chances.
Therefore Joel Campbell is expected to face the side he spent a year on loan at. Mathieu Flamini could be partnered by Aaron Ramsey in front of the back four whilst Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is available to offer some creativity and pace down the right wing.
Olympiacos vs Arsenal possible starting line-ups
Olympiacos: Roberto; Omar Elabdellaoui, Alberto Botia, Dimitrios Siovas, Arthur Masuaku; Luka Milivojevic, Pajtim Kasami, Felipe Pardo, Konstantinos Fortounis, Seba; Brown Ideye
Arsenal: Petr Cech; Hector Bellerin, Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal; Aaron Ramsey, Mathieu Flamini, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mesut Ozil, Joel Campbell; Olivier Giroud
Olympiacos vs Arsenal: Key Stats
0% – Arsenal have lost both of their away games in this season’s Champions League after winning three of their four away games last season.
33% – English opposition have won only three of nine matches versus Olympiacos (D3, L3).
84% – Olympiacos have won 16 of their 19 competitive matches this season, losing only to Bayern Munich (twice).
Prediction: Olympiacos 1-3 Arsenal