Olympiakos Piraeus vs Arouca Predictions, Betting Tips, & Match Preview

Arouca have made a swift rise to prominence in Portugal. In 2013, the side managed its fourth promotion in seven years to bring them up to the Portuguese top flight and now, just three years later, their 5th place finish sees them playing in European competition for the first time. Arouca entered the UEFA Europa League at the third qualifying round where they faced Dutch side Heracles. After a 1-1 draw away from home in the first leg, a 0-0 draw at home was enough to see the Portuguese side through to the playoff round, thanks to the away goal rule. Pressure builds on the side here, with the Portuguese Primeira Liga now underway, their schedule will become more and more strenuous the further they progress.

Greek giants Olympiakos won their sixth consecutive Super-league title with ease last season. After all thirty matches, they stood a ridiculous thirty points above 2nd placed Panathinaikos, which was more than enough to secure them the only available Champions League qualification spot. Olympiakos entered the competition in the third qualifying round, a step down from last season’s group stage entry, but failed to make any significant impact. Their 1-0 aggregate knockout by Israeli champions Hapoel Be’er Sheva was one of their worst displays in years and they will certainly be hoping to make amends in the Europa League.

Olympiakos’ 1-0 aggregate lead doesn’t do the action-packed first leg much justice. Both sides had plenty of goal-scoring opportunities, Olympiakos recorded eighteen to Arouca’s ten, and credit must be given to the goalkeepers. The Greeks clearly have the better squad depth and experience in European competition, but we think it’s fair to say that this was their best performance since mid-July. Olympiakos are strong favourites for the second leg at home, but we feel that the odds on them to win are too short at 4/11. Olympiakos simply haven’t been consistent enough taking just one win in their last six matches (W1 D2 L3). Instead, let’s focus on what both sides haven’t been doing much of recently – scoring goals! Olympiakos have scored just two goals in their last six matches while Arouca have failed to score in three of their last four. With the likelihood that Olympiakos will play a more conservative style of football and aim to control the game against the weaker side, we like the look of a low scoring outcome as Olympiakos hold onto their 1-0 aggregate lead.

As such, we feel under 2.5 goals at 17/20 and Olympiakos to win 1-0 at 9/2 are both decent bets for this match.