Wednesday December 09, 2015 19:45pm – Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis

Recent form (all competitions)

Olympiakos: WWWLW

Arsenal: WDWLD

Olympiakos and Arsenal will play out a straight battle for the second Group F qualifying spot when the sides line up at the Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night.

Olympiakos with the advantage

When the teams met at the Emirates Stadium back in September, it was the Greek side who prevailed by a 3-2 scoreline. Thanks to that win, Olympiakos now hold the advantage and need just a draw to guarantee second place in the Group. They could also make it to the last 16 if they lose by a 0-1 or 1-2 scoreline.

The team from Piraeus have a great record at home in the competition having won seven of their last eight fixtures at the Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis. Their only defeat in that time came at the hands of Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich back in September.

They come into this game having set a new Greek Super League record by winning the first 12 games of their domestic campaign.

Coach Marco Silva will have to do without the injured duo of Alejandro Domínguez and Giannis Maniatis.

A must-win game for the Gunners

Arsenal don’t just need to win on Tuesday night, they need to win by the right scoreline. A 1-0 or 2-1 victory to the Gunners would see the opposition go through at their expense, however, any other victory would suit the Gunners.

If they are going to make it to the knockout phase, Arsene Wenger’s men will have to win away from home for the first time in the current campaign. They have failed to win on their last five trips to Greece having lost four and drawn one.

The North Londoners will be coming into this game in a positive mood after beating Sunderland by three goals to one in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday.

Arsene Wenger will be without several key players including Alexis Sanchez, Kieran Gibbs, Santi Cazorla and Danny Welbeck.

Prediction

Olympiakos have all the form on their side having only been beaten once at home in their last 26 competitive games. That solitary defeat came against the might of Bayern Munich.

In contrast, the Gunners have yet to win away in this year’s competition and have only one three of their last nine games on the road in Europe. The home side can be backed at 5/2 with Betfair.