Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's Champions League last 16 match between Olympiacos and Manchester United. The hosts are looking to spring a shock this evening in the first leg, but United have enjoyed themselves in this competition so far this season, so we should have an intriguing encounter on our hands.

We'll start with a look at our hosts tonight, and it is clear to see that this will be no walk in the park for United this evening. Olympiacos have swept all before them domestically this season, and look destined to claim a ninth Super League title in the space of 11 years. They are currently 20 points clear at the top of the table, and it is now a case of how soon they will complete the formalities.

Judging by recent form, it won't be long. Olympiacos are unbeaten in their last 19 outings in all competitions and have won their last seven matches in the league. Indeed, they have dropped just four points all season in their all-conquering domestic campaign and have scored 13 goals in their last three league outings.

Their dominance extends, unsurprisingly, to their goal tallies as well. In 26 matches, Michel's side have conceded just nine goals, which is half as many as the next best defensive record in the league. At the other end of the pitch they have been no less impressive, scoring 78 times at an average of three per game. That is 26 more goals than their nearest top scorers.

Predictably, they haven't been able to carry such a monopoly of records into the Champions League, which provides a much higher level of competition than the Greek Super League, with all due respect. However, their group campaign was still impressive as they edged out Portuguese giants Benfica to finish second behind PSG. Indeed, it was a dramatic end of the group as Olympiacos beat Benfica 3-1 on the final matchday to draw level on points and go through on goal difference.

The only two defeats of Olympiacos' season have come in the Champions League, and PSG are the only team to have got the better of the Greek side in the current campaign, winning the home and away ties. PSG are also the only team to have beaten Olympiacos at home this season, winning 4-1 in one of only two games in which the runaway Super League leaders have failed to pick up maximum points in front of their own fans.

Olympiacos' home record really is a formidable one. They have only lost twice in front of their own fans in four years of league action, while Arsenal have come here three times in recent years only to be sent packing with defeat on each occasion. Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid have also failed to win here in the last six years, while the last English side to win here was none other than Manchester United themselves way back in 2002.

They are a weakened team from earlier in this season, however, having sold top scorer Kostas Mitroglu to Fulham in January. That, coupled with the fact that Javier Saviola is injured and Scepovic is cup tied, means that the hosts are struggling for strikers this evening.

United, on the other hand, are not struggling for strikers, which is not something that they have had the luxury of being able to say much this season. Rooney and Van Persie are both back fit and firing, with the former celebrating a lucrative new long-term deal with a fine goal against Crystal Palace at the weekend. That result was just their third win of 2014 so far and, while they may not be saying so in public, they must now feel that fourth place is beyond them.

An 11-point gap separates them from Liverpool in fourth, which means that United's best chance of playing Champions League football next season would be winning the competition this year. A number of players from the United camp have suggested that doing so is a possibility, but it would take a remarkable run to get past the likes of Bayern Munich, Barcelona or Real Madrid.

However, they will come into this tie thinking that the draw has been fairly kind to them, and they would be bitterly disappointed if they didn't progress into the quarter-finals. Fortunately for United, their poor domestic form has not crept its way into Europe so far, and they remain unbeaten in the competition this season having won four and drawn two of their six games to finish top of their group.

Their European so far this season will give them confidence that they could go far in the competition, which also provides them their last realistic hope of silverware this season. United seem to play with less weight on their shoulders in the Champions League, and Moyes has at least taken to Europe's premier competition quicker than he has to leading United domestically.

A large reason for their success in this tournament so far this season has been their impressive defence. They conceded just three goals in the group stages, joining Atletico Madrid and Chelsea as the thriftiest defences in the competition so far. Olympiacos usually score at home, so a fifth consecutive European clean sheet tonight would go a long way to seeing them into the last eight.

Domestically, their stats don't shape up too badly. They have scored more goals than any other side outside the top four in the Premier League, and that is without Van Persie and Rooney for much of the season. That deadly duo's return should see that figure rise even more quickly, and they are certainly more of a threat with them on the field.

Defensively, only four teams have conceded fewer than United all season, so their aren't too many problems in that respect either. They have simply lost too many games in the league and, as such, sit too far behind the top four to really stand much of a chance of catching them. Conversely, they have not yet lost in the Champions League and will fancy their chances if they can reach the last eight.

TEAM NEWS: Right, time to bring you some team news for this match! I mentioned Olympiacos' striking issues earlier, as as expected they have opted for young Michael Olaitan to lead the line, while Arsenal loanee Joel Campbell also starts for the hosts. As for United, Cleverley, Valencia and Young all start the game while Rooney and Van Persie remain up top. Full team news for both sides coming right up...

OLYMPIACOS STARTING XI: Roberto; Leandro Salino, Manolas, Marcano, Holebas; Maniatis, N'Dinga; Campbell, Domínguez, Peréz; Olaitan

OLYMPIACOS SUBS: Megyeri, Machado, Samaris, Valdez, Fuster, Papadopoulos, Bong

MANCHESTER UNITED STARTING XI: De Gea; Smalling, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Valencia, Carrick, Cleverley, Young; Rooney, Van Persie

MANCHESTER UNITED SUBS: Lindegaard, Büttner, Fellaini, Giggs, Kagawa, Hernandez, Welbeck

So, what can we make of those two starting lineups? Well, there are no real surprises in either, but you have to say that Olympiacos have been severely weakened by their striker situation. In losing Mitroglu to Fulham and Saviola to injury, they are missing a lot of goals that could have really caused United some problems tonight. It will be interesting to see whether Olaitan is able to step up to the plate.

One player than English fans may be semi-familiar with is Arsenal's Joel Campbell. He is currently on loan at Olympiakos and has impressed so far this season with his lively play. He is likely to be a threat to the United defence this afternoon and provides a much-needed goal threat for the hosts. The visitors will have to keep a close eye on him.

Conspicuous by his absence is a certain Roy Carroll, the former United keeper who is now on the books at Olympiacos. He was never expected to play this evening, but there was talk of him being on the bench against his former side. That hasn't materialised, however, and he will have to be content with watching on from the stands.

As for the United side, Moyes has named a strong team for this game, and understandably so. They are out of both domestic cup competitions and the Premier League title race, so can focus all of their attention on this competition. There is no Mata due to him being cup tied, while Januzaj is left out of the squad altogether, but he has named an attacking midfield to back up the front two.

Valencia and Young will look to bomb down either flank at every available opportunity, and in Cleverley they have a player who can break out of a deeper role and carry the ball forward. None of the midfield quite have the vision or creativity of a Mata or Januzaj, but they should provide plenty of impetus for the team.

Van Persie and Rooney up front is a huge boost to United, and with that dup they will fancy their chances of winning any game. They were both on the scoresheet against Palace at the weekend and have shown that they can work well together on the relatively rare occasions that both have been fit at the same time. Tonight will be another chance for them to show what they can do and, if they are firing on all cylinders, the hosts may find it tough to stop them.

I mentioned earlier how important United's defence has proven to be in the competition this season, and it is almost a full-strength one that Moyes has been able to name this evening. Ferdinand, Vidic and Evra are as experienced a back line as you could hope for in this competition, while Smalling is quickly learning his trade despite being regularly switched from right-back to full-back. The only slight concern for Moyes will be that he has a lack of defensive options available on the bench with Jones and Evans injured, so he will be hoping that all four get through the game unscathed.

PREDICTION: Right, we're 10 minutes from kickoff in Greece, which means that it is time for my match prediction! This is quite a tough one to call given Olympiacos incredible form and United's good record in this competition this season. It certainly won't be an easy game for the visitors, but I think that Olympiacos striker shortage could prove important. I would not be at all surprised to see this one end level, but I'm going to go for 1-0 to United.

Olympiacos certainly don't have history on their side in this fixture. Their recent record against English clubs at home is very impressive, but in four Champions League meetings with United they have failed to win a single one. They have scored just two goals in that time, conceding 12.

While Olympiacos boast a formidable home record this season, United's away form has not been too bad overall either. Their victory over Palace did end a four-match winless streak on their travels, but before that they had gone 11 away games without defeat in all competitions. In general, Moyes had found things easier away from home than he has at Old Trafford this season.

We have already had one Champions League match tonight, and it was a cracker out in Russia as Dortmund took control of their tie with Zenit courtesy of a 4-2 victory. Four away goals is a lot, and you'd have to put last season's runners-up down as overwhelming favourites to progress into the last eight.

It has been a superb round of 16 so far in the Champions League, with no shortage of talking points. United have certainly provided their fair share of them already this season, could they add another to the list tonight? An away goal and a win would put them in a great position to reach the last eight.

KICKOFF: The hosts get us underway in a huge match for both teams. Olympiacos will view this match as an ideal chance to claim a big scalp, while United will see it as a good opportunity to reach the last eight.

YELLOW CARD! Evra goes into the book very early on, and it is a harsh one from Gianluca Rocchi. The United left-back handled the ball as Campbell looked to skip past him, and the ref deemed it worthy of a caution.

The home fans are certainly making plenty of noise in these opening stages as they look to make a daunting atmosphere for United. Part of the ground has been closed due to a political banner that was displayed during a group game, but that hasn't quietened the fans whatsoever.

Sloppy from United as they give the ball away in a dangerous position and then fail to clear it, but they eventually get the danger away when it looked like the hosts may have a chance. It hasn't been the most confident of starts from the visitors.

CHANCE! Big chance for the hosts to take the lead! Smalling hopelessly stumbles as the ball is coming to him and Dominguez wins the ball off the full-back before bursting through the middle. He carries the ball a long way and eventually gets into the United area, but Vidic dives in to make a brilliant last-ditch challenge to deny the Argentine.

Better from United as they string their first decent spell of passes together to release Evra down the left. His cross is comfortably dealt with by the defence, but that is the first time they have been able to get forward in this opening 10 minutes.

Olympiacos are pressing really high up the pitch at the moment, giving the United defence very little time on the ball and rushing them into aimless passes. It has been a good start from the hosts.

Really good pressing again from the hosts as two players hound Ferdinand down and eventually force him to lose the ball, although the referee dubiously gives the throw to United. Ferdinand is not happy with his teammates for failing to make themselves available further upfield.

Smalling does well down the right but his cross is too long and Young is forced to go scurrying off to keep it in. He does exactly that before looking for a clever pass towards Van Persie inside the area, but it is just too heavy and goes out for a goal kick.

CHANCE! Decent chance for the visitors as Olympiacos fail to deal with Cleverley's corner. The ball is headed up rather than out and Vidic nods it back into a dangerous area before it falls to Cleverley, who has made his way into the box, but the England international slices his volley over. Not an easy chance, but he would have expected to do better with it.

United are starting to see more of the ball now as they ease themselves into the match. The fans are still greeted every spell of away possession with whistles and boos, but United certainly look more comfortable with the ball now than they did in the opening stages of the match.

Valencia does well down the right to beat his man and make a yard to deliver the cross. His final ball is poor, however, as he drills it harmlessly across the face of goal and behind for a goal kick.

A nice move from United sees Rooney and Young link up to send Evra in down the left channel. He bursts into the box and wins a corner off the defender, but the keeper comes out to get a good punch on the resulting delivery.

The hosts' bright start has fizzled out a little in the last 10 minutes or so as United begin to get more comfortable in the match. The visitors seem to have more time on the ball as Olympiacos become more cautious of rushing men forward to press high up the pitch.

SHOT! Perez is given too much time on the edge of the United box as he cuts inside from the left before looking up to pick his spot and shooting. However, his effort is a disappointing one as he drags it wide of the near post, which De Gea had covered anyway.

Now the hosts have a decent spell of possession, but they can't make anything of it. It has been an even game so far, but the only real chance has fallen to Olympiacos.

Olaitan throws himself to the floor under a hint of a touch from Ferdinand, but the referee correctly waves his claims away. He went down easily under a challenge from Vidic earlier as well, but it is clear that Rocchi isn't going to fall for it.

It certainly hasn't been a classic so far. Both teams have seen plenty of the ball but have been unable to really create anything dangerous, other than a fine Dominguez run that was blocked by Vidic's tackle early on.

Moyes will be content wit his side's performance so far despite them not having created much. They survived a bright start from the hosts and have eased themselves into the match. A goalless draw wouldn't be a bad result for them, but I expect them to push harder for an away goal as the match progresses.

That is ambitious to say the least. Holebas receives the ball all of 40 yards from goal and chooses to try his luck, but he doesn't catch it anywhere near as well as he would have liked, dragging a tame effort comfortably wide of the post.

This game really needed a goal to liven things up, and that is exactly what it has got. There didn't look to be much danger for United as the ball fell to Giannis Maniatis outside the box, but his poor shot was clever flicked into the opposite corner by Dominguez, leaving De Gea stranded. There is a touch of fortune about it, but the hosts won't care one bit.

United look to come up with an immediate response as they win a free kick in a good position. Rooney swings in a dangerous delivery that Monalos puts just over his own bar. That was not far away from being an own goal, but as it turned out it was an important defensive header.

Van Persie is down and hurt here as he took a heavy blow from the keeper during that free kick. It is a head injury so Van Persie receives treatment on the field before the corner can be taken. It looks like the striker will be alright, but that looked to be a painful one.

Rooney's eventual corner is played short and he gets it back before seeing his shot from a tight angle blocked and cleared for a throw. Van Persie, meanwhile, returns to the action shortly afterwards.

There will be just one minute of added time at the end of this first half.

So, Manchester United find themselves in an all-too familiar position at the break. After a poor first half, they find themselves 1-0 down at the break and in need of a goal to avoid a really testing second leg at Old Trafford next month. It was by no means the best half of football I have ever seen, but Olympiacos won't be worried about that right now.

The goal was a mixture of bad luck for United and impressive ingenuity from Dominguez, who reacted quickly to divert a poor Maniatis shot into the far corner. De Gea couldn't recover in time having gone towards the opposite side of the goal to deal with the initial shot.

It has been a poor performance from the visitors so far this evening as they have been sloppy and unthreatening in possession. They have lacked any sort of pace to their attacking play and it has been very easy for the Olympiacos defence so far. United did not create a single chance of note in the first half.

The hosts enjoyed the best chance of the first half other than the goal too as Dominguez stole the ball off Smalling before running half the length of the pitch only to be denied by a fine last-ditch challenge by Vidic inside the United penalty area.

The hosts have certainly not dominated the game, but they deserve their lead having created two chances to United's none. Neither side have played particularly well and United will be confident that they can take control of the match in the second half, but to do so they will need a drastically improved performance after the break.

United's best player by some distance so far has been Vidic, who has made a number of important clearances, interceptions and tackles. The likes of Van Persie and Rooney have barely featured at all, while Ashley Young and Valencia have been too predictable on the wings.

KICKOFF: United get us underway, no doubt with Moyes's words still ringing in their ears. They will need a much-improved performance in the second half if they are to get back into this one.

Almost a dreadful start to the half for United as Cleverley sends a suicidal ball across the edge of his own box, but the hosts just can't take advantage.

Really bright start from the hosts to this half. They again press United high up the pitch, forcing them to give the ball away in a dangerous position. Perez's eventual shot is easy for De Gea, but United really have not settled since the break.

A lot of United's passing has been far too sloppy this evening, and that certainly isn't helping matters. They can't string a good number of passes together in a dangerous area and the hosts' defence looks very comfortable at the moment.

Olympiacos do deserve some credit for this United performance so far. The hosts have not played particularly well themselves, but they have stopped United playing with their consistent pressure on the ball.

Rooney is absolutely livid with the referee after he goes down under a sliding challenge and doesn't get the free kick. He runs over and shouts at the official as play continues, and he is lucky not to get a yellow card in truth. Signs of frustration creeping into the United team, although to be fair it should have been a foul.

Olympiacos have doubled their lead! It is a superb goal from the Arsenal loanee Campbell of all people as he cuts in from the right flank and knocks the ball through the legs of Carrick before curling a lovely effort past De Gea and into the bottom corner. Magnificent strike, and how important could that prove to be in the context of the tie? Advantage very much Olympiacos right now.

If that doesn't jolt United into action this evening, I'm not sure what will. Their place in the Champions League is hanging in the balance now and you'd say that they need a goal in the final half an hour or so of this match. United have simply lacked urgency and pace tonight. I wouldn't be surprised to see a change sooner rather than later. Something needs to happen for United, they need a spark.

The home fans are, understandably, in full voice right now, and it is making for a rather intimidating atmosphere. They know that they could well be seeing one half of a famous European victory that would take them into the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

MANCHESTER UNITED SUBS: Something needed to change for United, and Moyes is making a double substitution in an attempt to inject some impetus into his side. Kagawa and Welbeck come on to replace Valencia and Cleverley. Attacking move from Moyes, but then he has little choice.

The subs have given United a little bit more urgency, but it should not have taken them this long to inject a little pace into their play. Rooney has dropped a little deeper to allow Welbeck and Kagawa to move in behind Van Persie.

SHOT! Nice football from the hosts as they patiently create am attack, sending the ball from one flank to the other before crossing it into the box. The clearance only falls as far as Maniatis, but he drags his shot wide.

CLOSE! Oh it is so nearly 3-0 and quite possibly tie over! Olaitan battles away inside the box and the ball eventually falls for him. He lashes a half volley towards the top corner, but it flies just past the post with De Gea rooted to the spot.

OLYMPIACOS SUB: Campbell's evening is over here, but it won't be one he forgets in a hurry. His superb curling strike has given the hosts a two-goal cushion, and he receives a great ovation as he goes off to be replaced by David Fuster.

The Olympiacos defence is still holding firm despite that United double change. The visitors are yet to create a decent chance in this match, which will worry Moyes as much as the scoreline. It has been a poor attacking performance despite having the likes of Van Persie and Rooney available.

Holebas does well down the left, skipping away from Smalling before creating space to cross. However, he takes on touch too many, allowing Smalling to get back and force him off balance, resulting in the delivery being sliced behind for a goal kick.

Really good run from Dominguez again as he carries it from inside his own half to the edge of the United box before eventually being stopped by Vidic. He had three other blue shirts hot on his tail, so he did well to hold on to it for so long in the first place.

Rooney concedes a free kick with a clumsy trip on Olaitan before slumping his shoulders in a frustrated manner. The visiting players will certainly not be happy with their performances tonight.

OLYMPIACOS SUB: One goalscorer has already departed and now it is the turn of the other as Dominguez makes way for the more defence minded Paulo Machado.

It has been a long time since I saw so many passes go astray from United. They have been careless and sloppy in possession, giving the ball away far too often and usually in dangerous positions.

Nice football again from the hosts as a series of one-touch passes allows Perez to come forward on the edge of the box. He shapes to shoot but is crowded out before eventually losing the ball.

Better from United as Young whips a dangerous low ball into the box from the right, but the keeper is alert enough to come out and punch away from the feet of Van Persie.

CHANCE! Finally, United have their first clear chance of the match, but they can't take advantage. Smalling was slipped in down the right and played an early ball in to Van Persie, who has found space for the first time tonight. His first touch is good and he creates space to shoot in the area, but he puts his effort over the bar. That was a real chance and a player of his quality should have scored it.

United are starting to turn the screw in these closing stages and suddenly a bit more space is opening up behind the Olympiacos defence. An away goal would be priceless for them right now, but you have to question why it has taken them so long to show this sort of urgency.

OLYMPIACOS SUB: The hosts make a change in an attempt to break up the game a little, with Perez making way to be replaced by his compatriot Nelson Valdez, who is making his debut.

Good impact from Valdez as he wins his first header before getting the ball back and winning a free kick off Rooney. The delivery from 40 yards is put into a decent enough area, but it is just too long and goes all the way through for a goal kick.

Half a chance for United as Evra lifts the ball down the channel for Welbeck, who pokes it into a dangerous area at the near post. Van Persie does really well to get in front of his man and get a shot away, but he was never going to get enough power on it to trouble the keeper, who gathers comfortably.

YELLOW CARD! Ferdinand picks up a late yellow card for a lunging foul on Fuster. No complaints there - it was a poor challenge from the veteran defender.

There will be three minutes of added time at the end of this match. Can United find a late goal?

Nice play from United releases Evra down the left once again, but his cross deflects off a defender before looping into the area, allowing the keeper to claim.

Well, well, well, United's troubles deepen further still and it appears that their European form is no longer immune from their disappointing season. They fall to a 2-0 defeat in the first leg of their last 16 tie with Olympiacos and now have it all to do at Old Trafford in three weeks' time if they are to make it into the quarter-finals.

The hosts scored either side of half time to take the victory, with Dominguez producing a clever flick to turn a wayward shot into the corner for the opening goal and Campbell curling a lovely effort past De Gea after the break to double the lead. It was no less than Olympiacos deserved either as they were the better team on the night. They may not have exactly run riot, but they stopped United playing and struck twice to take a valuable victory into the second leg. They now have one foot firmly in the last eight.

For the visitors, it truly was a woeful performance. They lacked any real urgency and pace throughout the match and gave the ball away far too often with sloppy passes. Progression to the quarter-finals is by no means beyond them as a 2-0 or 3-0 win at Old Trafford is feasible, but they will have to play an awful lot better than they did this evening. Their first chance came in the 82nd minute, and even then Van Persie lacked his usual composure in front of goal to blaze an effort over the bar.

Right, that is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole on a momentous night for Olympiacos as they claim their first ever victory against Manchester United, running out comfortable 2-0 victors in the first leg of their last 16 tie. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction and analysis, which will be on site shortly. Also check back in with us for more Champions League action tomorrow night. Until then, though, it is goodbye from me!