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Olympiacos
Europa League | Group Stage
Dec 14, 2023 at 8pm UK
Stadio Georgios Karaiskaki
Olympiacos
vs.
Backa Topola

Preview: Olympiacos vs. Backa Topola - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Thursday's Europa League clash between Olympiacos and Backa Topola, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Olympiacos and Backa Topola meet in the Europa League on Thursday night with both teams having already been eliminated from this competition.

However, a place in the Europa Conference League is still up for grabs, Olympiacos needing to avoid defeat and Backa Topola knowing that only a win will do if they are to extend their continental schedule.


Match preview

Olympiacos coach Diego Martinez reacts on October 26, 2023© Reuters

Although Olympiacos were underdogs to qualify from Group A, they would have at least expected to be competitive against the likes of West Ham United and Frieburg.

Despite beating the latter in their home clash, the Greek giants have accumulated just one point from their other four fixtures, leaving Diego Martinez's side eight points adrift of the top two with one match to play.

All things considered, it has been a hugely disappointing effort, yet Martinez and his talented squad will feel that they can go deep in the Europa Conference League if they can avoid defeat on Thursday night.

That is far from a foregone conclusion, though, with just four wins coming from 10 matches in all competitions and a 2-2 draw being posted at Volos NFC in their last league game.

Olympiacos sit in fourth position in the Greek top flight, three points adrift of top spot, but they will want to ensure that they do not just have domestic action to look forward to after Christmas.

TSC Backa Topola coach Zarko Lazetic on November 30, 2023© Reuters

Europa League newcomers Backa Topola have done themselves justice in the majority of their group-stage fixtures, only under-performing in a 5-0 reverse against Freiburg in Germany.

The Serbian side have showcased their qualities by taking the lead in other games against West Ham United and Freiburg, as well as netting a last-gasp equaliser in the reverse contest versus Olmypiacos.

Nevertheless, Zarko Lazetic's side have reached this stage with just one point to their name and requiring all three points if they wish to drop down into the Europa Conference League.

While their domestic form has been less than convincing, TSC head into this game with three clean sheets in a row and sitting in third spot in the Serbian Super Liga.

Olympiacos Europa League form:


Olympiacos form (all competitions):


Backa Topola Europa League form:


Backa Topola form (all competitions):
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • D


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Team News

Olympiacos' Daniel Podence is stretchered off after sustaining an injury on November 30, 2023© Reuters

Despite being withdrawn with an injury at Frieburg at the end of last month, Daniel Podence has been declared fit for Olympiacos.

The Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee may get the nod over Pep Biel on the flank, but Stevan Jovetic is unlikely to be risked despite having recently returned to training.

After an 11-day break, Martinez could opt to select the same team from the fixture with Volos NPS on December 3.

Meanwhile, Lazetic may name the same TSC starting lineup from their last domestic outing, which would see them start with a 5-3-2 formation.

If a change is made, it could come in attack with Marko Rakonjac an alterative to Uros Milovanovic.


Olympiacos possible starting lineup:
Paschalakis; Rodinei, Biancone, Retsos, Ortega; Fortounis, Iborra, Camara; Biel, El Kaabi, Masouras

Backa Topola possible starting lineup:
Ilic; Vlalukin, Calusic, Krstic, Antonic, Petrovic; Radin, Kuveljic; Cirkovic; Jovanovic, Milovanovic


SM words green background

We say: Olympiacos 2-0 Backa Topola

Having pushed West Ham in their most recent European fixture, Backa Topola will feel that they are capable of upsetting the odds in Greece. Nevertheless, Olympiacos need a response of their own, and we are backing Martinez's side to churn out a professional win on home territory.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a home win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home Win:data

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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
1West Ham540112
2Freiburg540112
3Olympiacos51134
4Backa Topola50141

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
1Marseille532011
2Brighton531110
3AEK Athens51134
4Ajax50232

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
1Betis53029
2Rangers52218
3Sparta Prague52127
4Aris Limassol51134

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
1Atalanta532011
2Sporting Lisbon52218
3Sturm Graz51134
4Rakow51134

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
1Liverpool540112
2Toulouse52218
3Union SG51225
4LASK51043

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
1Rennes540112
2Villarreal531110
3Panathinaikos51134
4Maccabi Haifa50232

Group G

TeamPWDLPTS
1Slavia Prague540112
2Roma531110
3Servette51225
4Sheriff Tiraspol50141

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
1B. Leverkusen550015
2Qarabag52127
3Molde52127
4Hacken50050

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