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Olympiacos
Europa League | Round of 16
Mar 12, 2020 at 8pm UK
 
Wolves logo

1-1

El-Arabi (54')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Neto (67')

Preview: Olympiacos vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole provides team news, predicted lineups and a full preview of the first leg of the Europa League last-16 tie between Olympiacos and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Wolverhampton Wanderers head into the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie with Olympiacos having put together a five-match unbeaten streak in the Premier League.

However, Nuno Espirito Santo's side travel to Greece in the knowledge that Thursday's game at the Karaiskakis Stadium will be played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus outbreak.


Match preview

Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo on February 14, 2020© Reuters

Although Wolves could only register a goalless draw with Brighton & Hove Albion at the weekend, Nuno will be relatively content with another game on the domestic front without defeat.

The West Midlands outfit have now recorded nine points and four clean sheets from their last five outings, form which has kept the club in the equation with regards to qualification for next season's Champions League.

However, Nuno and his squad will want to earn a spot at European football's top table through this competition after taking part in an adventure which has now lasted 14 matches.

Wolves have enjoyed some famous wins on that journey, most notably on their travels against Besiktas and Slovan Bratislva, but there is every indication that their game in Greece will represent their stiffest test yet.

Olympiacos were the clear underdogs when taking on fellow Premier League outfit Arsenal, only for Pedro Martins and his players to work together to pull off one of the biggest results in their history.

Despite a narrow defeat in front of their own supporters, Olympiacos went to the Emirates Stadium and earned a 2-1 triumph after extra-time, securing their progress on away goals.

Upsetting one of the favourites for the trophy has naturally led to expectations rising at the club during a time when they also sit seven points clear at the top of their league standings.

While last week's cup defeat at PAOK came as a blow in their bid to claim an unprecedented treble involving a European crown, it may have just added further motivation ahead of attempting to claim another notable scalp on the continent.

Olympiacos European form: LLLWLW
Olympiacos form (all competitions): WLWWWL

Wolverhampton Wanderers Europa League form: WWDWWL
Wolverhampton Wanderers form (all competitions): DWWLWD


Team News

Daniel Podence in action for Wolves on February 1, 2020© Reuters

On his return to a club which he only left in January, Wolves winger Daniel Podence is likely to find himself among the replacements.

Nuno has a decision to make regarding his formation, with Saturday's 3-5-2 not helping the team's cause in the final third.

Much could depend on the fitness of Adama Traore, who is continuing to deal with a shoulder problem, while Jonny is a likely absentee.

Olympiacos will be able to call upon Ruben Semedo after the centre-back completed a one-match suspension.

Having made an impact in the last two matches, Giorgos Masouras is expected to get the nod on the right flank.

Olympiacos possible starting lineup:
Sa; Elabdellaoui, Semedo, Ba, Tsimikas; Fortounis, Guilherme, Camara; Masouras, El-Arabi, Valbuena

Wolverhampton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Patricio; Boly, Coady, Saiss; Doherty, Neves, Moutinho, Vinagre; Traore, Jimenez, Jota


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We say: Olympiacos 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

We feel that this game has a draw written all over it. Like Wolves, Olympiacos showed against Arsenal that they are a well-drilled outfit, and the two teams could play out a low-scoring draw in a fixture which will be played without its previously-anticipated atmosphere.



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Written by
Darren Plant

Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a win with a probability of 40.12%. A win for had a probability of 36.31% and a draw had a probability of 23.6%.

The most likely scoreline for a win was 1-2 with a probability of 8.59%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 0-1 (6.88%) and 0-2 (5.59%). The likeliest win was 2-1 (8.13%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (10.57%).


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Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Nuno Espirito Santo before the match on February 27, 2020
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