Olympiacos VS Arsenal Match Prediction
2020-02-20
20:00:00
Olympiacos
VS
Arsenal
Our Prediction Tip
Arsenal will win this match.
2020-02-2020:00:00 Arsenal will win this match.
Though the first time they have met in the Europa League, Arsenal and Olympiakos have met in four previous European campaigns – all in the Champions League. They each won their games in the first three of those, between 2009 and 2012, while in 2015 they both won away – the Greek side winning 3-2 at Arsenal before the Gunners’ 3-0 win in Greece. Olivier Giroud scored a hat-trick.
Olympiakos’ superb form continued as they blasted Panionios aside last weekend – Youssef El-Arabi scoring twice.
They have not lost since November – the last time they faced an English side in Europe as they blew a 2-0 lead to lose 4-2 to Tottenham Hotspur.
Arsenal will now hope they can pick up where their fierce rivals left off, taking advantage of Olympiakos’ injury blow up front and continuing the great form they showed last weekend.
The Gunners put four past Newcastle in a richly-deserved win, with Alexandre Lacazette getting back to goalscoring ways among that.
Mikel Arteta must now decide whether to retain their focus on Premier League football or play the big guns in Europe too.
If he sticks, they can build on the momentum of their last win and an unbeaten 2020 so far – albeit a record bettered by Olympiakos so far.
The Greek side’s biggest issue will be the injury-enforced change in formation. Mathias Valbuena’s assists record and Youssef El-Arabi’s goals will negate some of that, but if Arsenal can cut off the supply, they can come away with a result.
Olympiakos’ form has not convinced the bookmakers, who have made Arsenal favourites regardless. The Gunners can be backed at 11/8 with Betfair and Bet365.
Arsenal’s defensive record leaves a lot to be desired, however, and both teams to score has been set at 8/13 with Bet365, Ladbrokes, Betfair, Betway and 888sport.
Over 2.5 goals is 20/23 with Betfair.
Should he play, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is a best price of 6/5 to score at any time with 888sport.
Olympiakos are in fine form, but their Champions League performances – despite some promising starts – highlighted the big differences between Greek domestic football and Europe. After returning to winning ways themselves at the weekend, Arsenal could get a positive result.
The Greek side’s Europa League plans have been changed, with Hilal Soudani ruled out injured for the rest of the season. Without the Algerian, who had been named in the squad ahead of Emre Mor and Koka, Olympiakos may need to revert to one up top – Youssef El-Arabi.
Youssef El-Arabi – Scored twice in the weekend’s win against Panionios, having also netted in his most recent match in Europe at Tottenham.
Mathieu Valbuena – The French winger’s assist for the opening goal against Panionios was, incredibly, his 18th assist of the season. He has also scored eight.
Guilherme – The anchor in the Olympiakos midfield, he has also scored five goals of his own and will need to keep Olympiakos in charge of the tempo of this game.
Olympiakos are unbeaten in their last 17 matches in all competitions, since they last met English opposition – Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League in November. Most recently, they followed up their 3-2 cup win against Lamia by beating Panionios 4-0 in the Super League. Koka and Kostas Fortounis scored and Youssef El-Arabi added a double – all within the first 24 minutes – in a comfortable victory.
Mikel Arteta must decide how much he chops and changes his team for the Europa League, if at all, as the Gunners prepare for the knock-out stages. Calum Chambers and Kieran Tierney will definitely miss out, but Gabriel Martinelli and Alexandre Lacazette could both be back in the starting XI.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Started the rout of Newcastle at the weekend as he hit his 17th goal of the season to break the deadlock.
Gabriel Martinelli – The Brazilian teenager has enjoyed his breakthrough season, with the Europa League providing his greatest exposure on his way to ten goals in all competitions.
Alexandre Lacazette – Do not underestimate the importance of his goal at the weekend, breaking his personal drought and providing a platform to build from.
Arsenal are unbeaten in 2020, drawing four and winning four so far. They returned from their winter break with a stylish attacking performance, putting four second-half goals past Newcastle United at the weekend. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nicholas Pepe, Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette scored the Gunners’ goals.
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