Osmanlispor vs Olympiakos Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Osmanlispor somehow managed to hold off Olympiakos last week when they visited the Greek Super League leaders. The hosts had the lion’s share of possession and recorded twice as many shots on goal as their opponents, but still the Turkish side held out. They were aided by the 74th minute red card of Bruno Viana as well, and now they have a level playing field back in Ankara.

This draw made it four games without a win for Osmanlispor though, but they have managed to end that run at the weekend with a 5-1 thrashing of Adanaspor away from home, as they look to salvage their disappointing season. They currently sit down in 9th position in the Turkish Super Lig with just 27 points from their 20 games so far.

Olympiakos are having no such domestic problems. They did surprisingly lose 1-0 at AEK Athens on Sunday, but they remain a comfortable ten points clear at the top of the Greek Super League and look set for a seventh consecutive domestic title.

That defeat at AEK Athens ended Olympiakos’ 15 match unbeaten streak in all competitions, ten of which have ended in victory for them. Their last defeat prior to that was a Europa League group game loss at APOEL, which coincidentally was the result that caused them to finish 2nd in their group and set this particular tie up.

Osmanlispor were the surprise victors of their Europa League group ahead of 2nd placed Villarreal, and that was largely thanks to their home form. They won two and drew one of their three group games on home soil, racking up 70% of their group points in front of their own fans.

Recently their home form has been disappointing, with one win, one draw, and four defeats from their last six games there, but they always have the potential to keep it tight at home. Olympiakos have won ten of their 17 trips away this season though and have only lost three times.

This is going to be a very tactical battle, as Osmanlispor know that an away goal from Olympiakos would put them in serious trouble. I do think there’s at least a couple of goals in this though. The visitors will be pushing hard for that crucial away goal and could well leave themselves exposed at the back, and as soon as one goal at either end goes in, the game should open up as desperation takes hold. That should lead to another goal, either from sustained pressure or from a counter attacking move.

There have been two or three goals in ten of Osmanlispor’s last 12 games in all competitions at home, whilst Olympiakos have seen two or three scored in seven of their last 13 on the road, so odds of 1/1 for Two or Three Total goals look good value for money. In the end I think it will end all square, with Olympiakos going through on away goals though, so I’m backing a 1-1 correct score predictions at 5/1.