Olympiacos vs Braga Prediction - Europa League Fixtures
Olympiacos will face Braga on 3 October 2024 at the Karaiskakis Stadium in the second matchday of the Europa League. Olympiacos, currently in 32nd position with 0 points, is reeling from a 2-0 loss to Lyon in their opening match. Braga, in contrast, sits at 12th with 3 points following a hard-fought 2-1 win over Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Home advantage could prove crucial for Olympiacos, who have won five of their last six home games in European competitions, making them the bookmaker’s favorite with odds at 2.15. The match promises to be competitive and crucial for both teams at this stage of the competition.
Our prediction: Olympiacos to win. The home crowd and recent form make them a slight favorite against a resilient Braga side.
Olympiacos vs Braga Prediction & Betting tip
Our recommendation for this match is to bet on Olympiacos to win. This prediction is informed by several factors:
Olympiacos’ better home performance in recent European games, winning five of their last six home fixtures.
A close examination of Braga’s narrow win over Maccabi Tel Aviv, which involved a last-minute penalty and their opponents receiving two red cards.
- Olympiacos have shown good home form in European competitions.
- Braga’s last win was less dominant, indicating potential vulnerabilities.
- Olympiacos are motivated to rebound after their opening match loss and will leverage their home advantage.
Olympiacos vs Braga Odds
For those fancying a flutter, here’s how the odds stack up for the clash between Olympiacos and Braga, based on the latest insights:
| Olympiacos vs. Braga Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Olympiacos | 2.15 |
| Draw | 3.52 |
| Braga | 3.28 |
Olympiacos Team Analysis
Olympiacos have shown mixed form in their recent matches:
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Olympiacos | Atromitos | 2-0 (Win) |
| Lyon | Olympiacos | 2-0 (Loss) |
| Aris Thessaloniki | Olympiacos | 2-1 (Loss) |
| Olympiacos | Panetolikos | 0-0 (Draw) |
| Lamia | Olympiacos | 0-3 (Win) |
Olympiacos Key Players
Olympiacos will be looking to their key players for inspiration as they aim to secure their first points in the Europa League. Although they struggled in their away match against Lyon, their recent 2-0 win over Atromitos has bolstered their confidence. Expected lineup for Olympiacos:
- Goalkeeper: Konstantinos Tzolakis
- Defenders: Costinha, Panagiotis Retsos, David Carmo, Apostolos Apostolopoulos
- Midfielders: Marko Stamenic, Christos Mouzakitis, Rodinei, Sergio Oliveira, Kristoffer Velde
- Forwards: Charalampos Kostoulas
Players to watch include Sergio Oliveira in midfield, whose playmaking abilities will be crucial. The defensive duo of Panagiotis Retsos and David Carmo will focus on neutralizing Braga’s striker, Roberto Fernandez.
With both teams b defensively, expect significant individual battles that could decide the match.
Olympiacos Suspensions & Injuries
Olympiacos are facing some injury challenges as they prepare for their match against Braga. This could impact their squad depth and tactical flexibility.
| Player | Injury | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|
| Gelson Martins | Muscle injury | Mid October 2024 |
| Lorenzo Pirola | Knock injury | Mid October 2024 |
Olympiacos Tactics and Formation
Olympiacos Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Charalampos Kostoulas
- Midfield Trio: Marko Stamenic, Christos Mouzakitis, Sergio Oliveira
- Defensive Line: Panagiotis Retsos, David Carmo, Apostolos Apostolopoulos, Costinha
- Goalkeeper: Konstantinos Tzolakis
Olympiacos have displayed a solid defensive setup, maintaining three clean sheets in their last five games. Their 4-2-3-1 formation allows flexibility, with Stamenic and Oliveira providing stability in midfield. Offensively, the team leverages Kostoulas at the front, backed by a creative midfield trio, aiming to exploit any defensive lapses from Braga. Their home advantage at the Karaiskakis Stadium will be key, combined with a better defensive showing and quick counter-attacks.
Braga Team Analysis
Braga have displayed better form recently with three wins, one draw, and one loss in their last five games. This solid streak includes victories over Rio Ave and Maccabi Tel Aviv, showcasing their offensive capabilities and defensive resilience. Recent Form: WWWLD Braga have managed to keep three clean sheets in their last five matches, indicating a robust defense. They’ve also averaged 1.80 goals per game, highlighting their attacking prowess.
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Braga | Rio Ave | 4-0 (Win) |
| Braga | Maccabi Tel Aviv | 2-1 (Win) |
| Nacional | Braga | 0-3 (Win) |
| Braga | Vitoria de Guimaraes | 0-2 (Loss) |
| Gil Vicente | Braga | 0-0 (Draw) |
Braga Key Players
One of Braga’s standout players is Bruma, who has already scored two goals in this Europa League campaign. His form and striking capabilities will be crucial for Braga as they take on Olympiacos.
Expected lineup for Braga:
- Goalkeeper: Matheus
- Defenders: Victor Gomez, Joao Ferreira, Sikou Niakate, Adrian Marin
- Midfielders: Jean-Baptiste Gorby, Carvalho, Ricardo Horta, Ismael Gharbi, Gabri Martinez
- Forward: Roberto Fernandez
Key individual battles to watch out for include Bruma against Olympiacos’ defenders, particularly Panagiotis Retsos and David Carmo. Additionally, midfield duels between Sergio Oliveira and Ricardo Horta could shape the game’s tempo. Braga will look towards their b defence, with three clean sheets in their last five games, to stifle Olympiacos’ attack.
Braga Suspensions & Injuries
Braga is currently facing a few significant injury concerns, which could impact their squad depth and overall performance against Olympiacos. Here’s a look at their latest injury news and suspensions:
Injuries:
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Robson Bambu | Thigh injury | Mid-October 2024 |
| João Moutinho | Muscle injury | Mid-October 2024 |
| Rodrigo Zalazar | Thigh injury | Mid-October 2024 |
| Paulo Oliveira | Muscle injury | Mid-October 2024 |
These injuries mean Braga will be without some crucial players, particularly in their defensive line with Robson Bambu and Paulo Oliveira out. This could create vulnerabilities that Olympiacos will aim to exploit. Managers and fans will be keeping a close eye on the return dates, hoping these key players recover promptly.
Braga Tactics and Formation
Braga’s Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Roberto Fernandez
- Midfield Trio: Jean-Baptiste Gorby, Carvalho, Ricardo Horta
- Defensive Strength: Three clean sheets in their last five games
Braga is expected to employ their usual 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on a structured build-up from the back and quick transitions. Roberto Fernandez will be pivotal in leading the attack, supported by a creative midfield trio comprising Jean-Baptiste Gorby, Carvalho, and Ricardo Horta.
Given their recent form, maintaining defensive solidity is crucial. The team’s defensive line, despite injuries to key players, has shown resilience, achieving three clean sheets in the last five matches. This textbook strategy will likely focus on exploiting any defensive lapses from Olympiacos, especially in wide areas, where Braga’s wingers can cause significant damage.
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