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Europa League | Group Stage
Dec 14, 2023 at 8pm UK
Stadio Georgios Karaiskaki

Olympiacos
5 - 2
Backa Topola

El Kaabi (21'), Podence (40', 42'), Ilic (46' og.), El-Arabi (67')
FT(HT: 3-0)
Dakovac (48'), Cirkovic (60')
Kuveljic (30'), Radin (50'), Sos (75'), Krstic (80')
Kuveljic (60')

Preview: Olympiacos vs. Backa Topola - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Olympiacos vs. Backa Topola - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Thursday's Europa League clash between Olympiacos and Backa Topola, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

Olympiacos and Backa Topola meet in the Europa League on Thursday night with both teams having already been eliminated from this competition.

However, a place in the Europa Conference League is still up for grabs, Olympiacos needing to avoid defeat and Backa Topola knowing that only a win will do if they are to extend their continental schedule.


Match preview

Although Olympiacos were underdogs to qualify from Group A, they would have at least expected to be competitive against the likes of West Ham United and Frieburg.

Despite beating the latter in their home clash, the Greek giants have accumulated just one point from their other four fixtures, leaving Diego Martinez's side eight points adrift of the top two with one match to play.

All things considered, it has been a hugely disappointing effort, yet Martinez and his talented squad will feel that they can go deep in the Europa Conference League if they can avoid defeat on Thursday night.

That is far from a foregone conclusion, though, with just four wins coming from 10 matches in all competitions and a 2-2 draw being posted at Volos NFC in their last league game.

Olympiacos sit in fourth position in the Greek top flight, three points adrift of top spot, but they will want to ensure that they do not just have domestic action to look forward to after Christmas.

Europa League newcomers Backa Topola have done themselves justice in the majority of their group-stage fixtures, only under-performing in a 5-0 reverse against Freiburg in Germany.

The Serbian side have showcased their qualities by taking the lead in other games against West Ham United and Freiburg, as well as netting a last-gasp equaliser in the reverse contest versus Olmypiacos.

Nevertheless, Zarko Lazetic's side have reached this stage with just one point to their name and requiring all three points if they wish to drop down into the Europa Conference League.

While their domestic form has been less than convincing, TSC head into this game with three clean sheets in a row and sitting in third spot in the Serbian Super Liga.

Olympiacos Europa League form:


Olympiacos form (all competitions):


Backa Topola Europa League form:


Backa Topola form (all competitions):
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • D



Team News

Despite being withdrawn with an injury at Frieburg at the end of last month, Daniel Podence has been declared fit for Olympiacos.

The Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee may get the nod over Pep Biel on the flank, but Stevan Jovetic is unlikely to be risked despite having recently returned to training.

After an 11-day break, Martinez could opt to select the same team from the fixture with Volos NPS on December 3.

Meanwhile, Lazetic may name the same TSC starting lineup from their last domestic outing, which would see them start with a 5-3-2 formation.

If a change is made, it could come in attack with Marko Rakonjac an alterative to Uros Milovanovic.


Olympiacos possible starting lineup:
Paschalakis; Rodinei, Biancone, Retsos, Ortega; Fortounis, Iborra, Camara; Biel, El Kaabi, Masouras

Backa Topola possible starting lineup:
Ilic; Vlalukin, Calusic, Krstic, Antonic, Petrovic; Radin, Kuveljic; Cirkovic; Jovanovic, Milovanovic


We say: Olympiacos 2-0 Backa Topola

Having pushed West Ham in their most recent European fixture, Backa Topola will feel that they are capable of upsetting the odds in Greece. Nevertheless, Olympiacos need a response of their own, and we are backing Martinez's side to churn out a professional win on home territory.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a home win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home Win:data


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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Relegation Round
1OFI CreteOFI Crete62403548-1335
2Panserraikos62223553-1835
3Asteras TripolisAsteras61143955-1635
4AtromitosAtromitos61323652-1634
5PanetolikosPanetolikos64113448-1433
6Volos64113557-2232
7Kifisia62133866-2828
8PAS GianninaPAS Giannina61143261-2922
Championship Round
1AEK AthensAEK Athens851277334475
2PanathinaikosPanathinaikos850379314871
3PAOKPAOK732279324771
4OlympiacosOlympiacos741274324270
5Aris ThessalonikiAris83144640652
6LamiaLamia80174172-3135
 
Regular Season
1PAOKPAOK26193466214560
2AEK AthensAEK Athens26178160253559
3OlympiacosOlympiacos26183558243457
4PanathinaikosPanathinaikos26175462214156
5Aris ThessalonikiAris26126839291042
6LamiaLamia2697103544-934
7Asteras TripolisAsteras2694133646-1031
8AtromitosAtromitos26610102944-1528
9Panserraikos2669112845-1727
10OFI CreteOFI Crete26510112644-1825
11Kifisia2649133156-2521
12PanetolikosPanetolikos2648142646-2020
13Volos2647152452-2819
14PAS GianninaPAS Giannina2639142548-2318
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