RANGERS will look to potentially climb into the top eight of the Europa League league phase table as they face a tricky trip to Piraeus to take on reigning Conference League champions Olympiakos.
Rangers managed to bounce back from their 1-4 loss at home to Lyon on MD2 as they put four unanswered goals past a limited FCSB side to move them onto six points.
Phillipe Clement’s side travel to Piraeus having sealed their place in the Scottish League Cup final against bitter-rivals Celtic, as they came from a goal down to beat Motherwell 2-1.
However, Rangers currently sit nine points off both Aberdeen and Celtic in the Scottish Premiership following their 2-1 loss at Aberdeen last Wednesday on a night where all three of my selections landed.
Olympiakos have bounced back from a 2-0 loss on MD1 away at Lyon, as the record Greek champions have won each of their next two at home to Braga and away at Malmo – both without conceding a goal.
However, like their visitors, Jose Luis Mendilibar’s hosts have struggled for consistency domestically, winning just two of their previous seven Greek Super League fixtures (W2-D3-L2), leaving them in fourth position, three points behind surprise leaders Aris.
How the bookies view it: Rangers outsiders in Piraeus
Olympiakos are favourites to make it three wins on the spin in the Europa League, with the likes of Bet365 pricing them up at 10/11 to claim all three points.
Unibet are offering odds of 16/5 for Rangers to make it back-to-back victories away from home in Europe, whilst a draw is priced at 27/10 at the same firm.
Head to head: Greek tragedy for Gers
This is the first meeting between the sides, but the Glasgow giants have faced Greek opposition on eight previous occasions, winning just once (W1-D4-L3).
Players to watch: El Kaabi to give Gers defence hell?
Moroccan striker Ayoub El Kaabi has already slammed in nine goals in both league and Europe for Olympiakos this season – netting in both previous Europa League victories against Braga and Malmo.
Nadim Bajrami was the match-winner for Rangers at Hampden on Sunday and also netted the early opener in their previous trip in Europe against Malmo.
Probable line-ups
New big-name signings Willian and Yazici are ruled out through injury for the foreseeable, so Medilibar may name a similar starting 11 to the one that started their 2-1 victory over Panserraikos at the weekend.
Vaclav Cerny returned to the starting 11 at Hampden on Sunday and was heavily involved in both goals, so should start once again. However, Tom Lawrence was forced off in the first half of that match with an injury.
Olympiakos: Tzolakis, Rodinei, Retsos, Carmo, Costinha, Hezze, Mouzakitis, Martins, Chiquinho, Velde, El Kaabi
Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Souttar, Kasanwirjo, Jefte, Barron, Raskin, Diomande, Bajrami, Cerny, Dessers
Anything else catch the eye?”
Olympiakos have been inconsistent this season but remain unbeaten at their Piraeus base, winning four of their six contests in all competitions (W4-D2-L0), including a 2-1 victory over Panserraikos at the weekend.
Since the beginning of last season, Olympiakos have W8-D0-L2 at their Greek base – including a 3-0 success over Portuguese side Braga last month – and I’m backing them to claim another victory at home against a Rangers side that doesn’t tend to travel well on the continent and who have struggled away from home domestically this season.
On top of backing the hosts to secure all three points, I’m also happy to have a play on the reigning Conference League holders striking at least twice, something they have achieved in 5/6 (83%) of their home fixtures in both league and Europe this campaign.
This UEFA Europa League match between Olympiakos and Rangers will be played on Nov 7, 2024 and kick off at 17:45. Check below for our tipsters best Olympiakos vs Rangers prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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