Europa Conference League: Olympiacos x Aston Villa Preview, Predictions and Odds (09/05/2024)

Thursday at Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, the return leg of the Conference League semis between Olympiacos and Aston Villa, will be a trembling occasion. Olympiacos defeated Villa 4-2 at Villa Park, contrary to all expectations. As a consequence, the Greeks will probably adopt a defensive stance in the rematch. The presenters are ecstatic to learn that Georgios Masouras and Andreas Ntoi have both returned from suspension.

In the interim, the Villains are compelled to proceed headfirst towards the Thrylos. Considering that Unai Emery's squad enters Thursday's match with nothing to lose, an away victory should be strongly considered. Emiliano Martinez, the first-choice goalkeeper, has recovered from injury, whereas the fitness of midfielder Youri Tielemans is uncertain. Weekend hobbling away with an injury during a 1-0 loss to Brighton notwithstanding, Morgan Rogers should be fine for the Conference League match. The opposition's defense line should consistently contain Ollie Watkins.

Head To Head And Previous Matches

With a 4-2 rout at Villa Park last week, the visitors put on a memorable display and are now in a solid position to earn an iconic Europa Conference League victim from Olympiacos. 

They are currently in a dominant position and are only 90 minutes away from purchasing their last ticket for Thursday evening. In addition to achieving a notable upset against Turkish heavyweights Fenerbahce the previous month, Jose Mendilibar's squad has developed a reputation for its ongoing success domestically. Olympiacos concluded the month of April with a 4-1 triumph over Lamia in Super League action. 

By an aggregate score of 12-4, the club had won their previous four consecutive contests at the Karaiskakis Stadium. Since resuming play in the final third following the international break in March, Mendilibar's squad has firmly established itself as one of Europe's most surprises of the current campaign.

Concerning the visitors, although Aston Villa's home crowd in the Midlands may have been moved emotionally last week, Unai Emery's squad delivered abysmal play. 

The former Arsenal manager, whose squad ultimately was swept away in that notorious 4-2 loss, is hoping for a significant miracle in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night. Notwithstanding the succession of accolades bestowed upon the Premier League club, they have recently exhibited the appearance of a unit in search of stability. 

Since stumbling to an insipid 1-0 defeat to Brighton last weekend, Villa have failed to gain any sort of momentum and have registered just one victory in 90 minutes across their previous five appearances. Emery's squad, who displayed egregious defensive deficiencies at home last week, faces an enormous challenge at the Karaiskakis Stadium. Indeed, Villa have achieved a solitary clean sheet in their previous nine consecutive contests.

Our Predictions

Olympiacos to win @3.50 on Skybet.ng

Last week in Birmingham, Olympiacos defied the odds to claim a 4-2 aggregate lead, and on Thursday in Piraeus, they should be able to extend that lead against Aston Villa.

Fourth-placed in the Greek Super League, the hosts have scored a combined 12 goals in their last four home contests across all competitions; therefore, they should be well-equipped to face Villa, who appear to be losing their way.

Despite making their task more difficult with a disappointing 1-0 defeat at Brighton on Sunday, Unai Emery's squad maintains the upper hand in the quest for a top-four berth.

This setback rendered them winless in their last three competitive contests, and they have achieved only one triumph in their previous six away travels, which included a 2-1 loss to Lille in their most recent away match in this competition.

Ayoub El Kaabi will score anytime @3.25 on Skybet. ng

Olympiacos will undoubtedly be looking forward to their Thursday night return to the Karaiskakis Stadium after a dominant first-leg performance at Villa Park that departed the Midlands with a 4-2 victory. The Greek Titans, who will have the upper hand in midweek, will be vying for an emblematic Europa Conference League victim. As Aston Villa struggles to muster any type of defensive grit and is currently experiencing a recent slump, the red-hot El Kaabi ought to be sensing the opportunity to extend his pursuit of the Golden Boot.

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