Olympiacos and Real Madrid go head-to-head in a crucial UEFA Champions League league-phase clash on Wednesday, at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus, Greece, with both sides looking to secure the three points in this group stage match.
Olympiacos vs Real Madrid – Match preview and team news
- Date: Wednesday, 26th November.
- Kick-off: 8pm BST.
- Venue: Stadio Georgionis Karaiskaki, Pireas.
Olympiacos team news
Ayoub El Kaabi remains the main goal threat, having carried over his strong scoring form from last season into the current campaign, and is expected to lead the line again in Piraeus. Creative support should come from Daniel Podence and Gelson Martins in the flanks, while Portuguese playmaker Chiquinho offers delivery and ball progression from the middle.
At the back, Olympiacos have a concern in goal. Experienced keeper Alexandros Paschalakis has missed recent games due to a muscle problem, meaning 21-year-old Nikolaos Botis has been starting and is in line to keep his place if Paschalakis is not passed fit. Bruno Onyemaichi is also sidelined and needs a few more weeks before he can return to the pitch.
Jose Luis Mendilibar is likely to stick with a back four of Rodinei or Costinha, Retsos, who is set to partner Lorenzo Pirola, and left-back Francisco Ortega, balancing aggression in the press with numbers behind the ball.
Real Madrid team news
Defensively, Xabi Alonso is still juggling a lengthy injury list. Eder Militao remains out with a groin problem, while Dani Carvajal and Aurélien Tchouaméni have also been sidelined with knee and foot issues respectively, limiting Real Madrid’s options in both defence and midfield. Carvajal is definitely sidelined for this match but the latter might be included in the squad depending on his fitness.
Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba are edging back towards full fitness and are in contention to return to the matchday squad, giving Alonso a potential boost at centre-back after several weeks of makeshift back-lines.
Further forward, Real Madrid retain plenty of firepower. Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior are all expected to start, with Bellingham continuing in his advanced central role behind the front line after his decisive late goal at Elche.
Off the pitch, reports in Spain have suggested tension between Vinícius and Alonso. The Brazilian is said to be unhappy about aspects of his role and treatment.
Form
Olympiacos
Olympiacos come into this game in good domestic form, winning comfortably against Atromitos and maintaining a strong sequence in the Greek Super League, where they have been scoring freely at home. In Europe, however, they sit in the lower half of the league-phase table with only two points from their opening four matches, leaving little margin for error if they want to stay in contention for the knockout stages or play-off spots.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid’s recent run has been more uneven, with draws and a key defeat in Europe putting scrutiny on Alonso’s early months in charge even as they remain in the upper positions of both the La Liga and Champions League league-phase standings. They failed to win their last three matches in all competitions and recently drew 2-2 against Elche. Their attacking numbers remain strong, but defensive issues and late lapses have cost them points, something they will be desperate to correct in a difficult away atmosphere.
Predicted lineups
Olympiacos: Tzolakis; Rodinei, Retsos, Pirola, Ortega; Garcia, Mouzakitis; Martins, Chiquinho, Podence; El Kaabi.
Real Madrid: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Camavinga, Guler; Bellingham; Mbappe, Vinicius.
How to watch Olympiacos vs Real Madrid?
It can be watched live on TNT Sports Extra for viewers in the UK. Additionally, the viewers can stream the game via the Discovery+ website and app.
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