UEFA Europa League - Apollon Limassol FC vs Olympiakos Piraeus Prediction

 

 

Analysis:

Apollon Limassol FC

After a disappointing pre-season campaign, Apollon Limassol FC failed to show a real battle against Maccabi Haifa in the penultimate round of UEFA Champions League qualifying as they suffered a 2-4 aggregate defeat. However, Apollon Limassol FC built the much needed motivation, as they secured a comfortable 2-0 landslide victory over Omonia Nicosia FC in the Cyprus Super league Cup, therefore they will want to prove themselves in front of their own fans. The last and only moment when both teams met was in year 2011, and then the match finished in a 1-1 draw. Despite a 0-4 loss in the 1st leg against Maccabi Haifa, Apollon Limassol FC tried to turn the result in their favor, but that 2-0 triumph was not enough.

 

Olympiakos Piraeus

Olympiakos Piraeus had a generally poor pre-season campaign, and to make worsen the matter, they suffered an embarrassment in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, yielding to Maccabi on a 1-5 aggregate. After that elimination, Olympiakos Piraeus appointed Carlos Corberán as their new coach, but even under him, Olympiakos Piraeus did not show any sign of positive results, as they managed to eliminate Slovan Bratislava just after a penalty shootout. Olympiakos Piraeus has faced huge setback in the back line, not only during the pre-season, but also in their various competitive games, where they conceded at least one goal in all 4 matches so far. In fact, Olympiakos Piraeus defense has looked too leaky, as they have failed to keep a clean sheet in 13 of their past 15 matches across all competitions.

 

Verdict:

This duel on Thursday will be their first competitive clash between both teams. Apollon Limassol FC should take advantage of visitors' lack of defensive stability, while the visitors side has a powerful and enough attacks to find the net. I expect both teams to score.

 

GG/BTTS: Yes