Olympiakos vs Man Utd – e-Football Preview

Article by e-Manchester United Correspondent Tony Gillies

At long last the Champions League fixtures return for United. The way the season is shaping up we better enjoy these games because I don't think we will be involved in them next season, unless we can go on and lift the famous old trophy in May.

United travel to Athens to take on Olympiakos in the first leg of the last 16; the draw much kinder to us this year than last when we were controversially knocked out by Real Madrid. We are still unbeaten in the competition thus far, with a relatively easy group although I don't think we were given enough credit going to Donesk and leaving with a point and the 5-0 thrashing of Bayer Leverkusen in Germany. Our best performances this season have come in this competition so here's hoping that trend continues on Tuesday night.

It's rare to play anyone lately without some sort of United connection and this week we will be up against ex-keeper Roy Carroll although he has yet to feature this season after losing the number 1 spot to Roberto Jiménez. The Greek Champions are currently on course to retain their title sitting 20 points clear at the top and well on their way to winning a 41st Greek Championship. They have lost their main striker Konstantinos Mitroglou after he moved to Fulham in the January transfer window but they do have former Barcelona and Real Madrid forward Javier Saviola at their disposal who at 32 may not be the player he was but still a threat nonetheless. Although it is rumoured he is ruled out of the first leg through injury. Since the departure of Mitroglou, 21 year old Nigerian striker Michael Olaitan has blossomed scoring a very respectable 7 goals in 10 games since the turn of the year so they do have players who can find the net so the United defence shouldn't expect a quiet night. They come into this game following a 4-0 away win at OFI Crete at the weekend so confidence will be high.

Team News

As we don't have a game this weekend and with this being our last chance at silverware this season. I'd expect David Moyes to put out he's strongest available XI, with the absence of cup-tied Juan Mata, which could mean a return for Shinji Kagawa who like United has saved he's best performances for the Champions League this season. Our defence looks a lot more solid with Vidic and Ferdinand and with us not playing for 11 days after this plus their experience in Europe, I think that partnership will continue following the 2-0 win at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

Head to Head Record

Oct 02 - Olympiakos 2-3 Man Utd
Oct 02 - Man Utd 4-0 Olympiakos
Oct 01 - Man Utd 3-0 Olympiakos
Oct 01 - Olympiakos 0-2 Man Utd

Predictions

Starting XI - De Gea, Smalling, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Carrick, Fellaini, Valencia, Kagawa, Rooney, van Persie.

@e_manchesterutd - Olympiakos 1-3 Man Utd

Fans Predictions

@tezfay is expecting an easy 2-0 win for United now that Olympiakos are without Mitroglou.

Steve (@olympiakos_fan7) an Olympiakos fan from Sydney thinks it will be harder for them to win without Mitroglou but playing such a huge match in Greece, he believes the hosts will come to Old Trafford with a 1-0 lead.

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