Our prediction for this Europa League match:
Burnley
Match Time & Date:
30/08/2018
02:45 PM
Prediction: 2-1
Olympiakos
Burnley square off against Olympiakos at their Turf Moor in the Europa League play-off, return leg. The Clarets aim to overcome a two-goal deficit in the tie against Olympiakos and we predict that they will go all guns blazing at the Thrylos when the two teams face each other in Thursday’s football match. Burnley are a real force to be reckoned with at home, but they will be without defender Gibson in the return leg. Anyhow, seeing that the Premier League side produce much better showings at home than on the travels, we are tempted to put our money on Sean Dyche’s troops. Olympiakos, on the other hand, are eager to defend their two-goal lead and they are widely expected to adopt a defence-minded approach in the second leg. Fortounis, who scored a brace in the first leg, will be one of the men to watch in the away side. Taking everything into account, home win should be considered, but we do not believe that Burnley are going to make it to the Europa League group stages.
Highlighted Player (Chris Wood):
Chris Wood is a New Zealand international who was born on 7 December, 1991. Wood plays as a striker and he began his senior career at Waikato FC. In 2009 he joined West Bromwich Albion, but he played no more than 21 league games for the Baggies.
The New Zealand attacker played for the likes of Barnsley, Brighton, Birmingham City, Bristol City, Millwall, Leicester City and Ipswich Town on loan in the past, but in July 2015 he signed a four-year deal with Leeds United. Chris Wood scored 13 goals for the Whites in the 2015/2016 Championship campaign and he was given the number 9 shirt. Wood made his Leeds debut on 8 August, 2015 in a 1-1 draw against Burnley. Speaking of his debut for New Zealand, he made his first appearance for the All Whites in a friendly game against Tanzania on 3 June. 2009.
It has to be noted that he represented New Zealand at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and he was the youngest player in the squad. His sister Chelsey Wood is a football player as well and she represented New Zealand at the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Highlighted Team (Olympiakos):
Olympiakos are regarded as one of the biggest club in Greece. The Thrylos were founded back in 1925 and they play their home games at Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus. The capacity of the stadium is 33 296. In 2016 Olympiakos won their 43rd Greek Superleague trophy and it has to be noted that they clinched their sixth consecutive domestic title.
However, the club’s biggest success came in 1999 as they participated in the Champions League quarter-finals. The Red and whites were beaten by Juventus in the two-legged tie. It is well known that Panathinaikos are considered the club’s bitterest rivals and the two teams share a great and long-standing rivalry.
The likes of AEK and PAOK are regarded as Olympiakos’ fierce opponents as well. The likes of Javier Saviola, Kevin Mirallas, Darko Kovacevic, Lomana LuaLua, Joel Campbell, Rivaldo and Marko Pantelic are notable footballers who played for the club in the past. Olympiakos fans are friends with Red Star Belgrade supporters.
