Olympiakos to gain first-leg advantage against Omonia

Olympiacos FC vs Omonia Nicosia - 23/09/2020

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Cypriot First Division winners Omonia travel to Greece to take on Olympiakos in a highly-charged Champions League playoff fixture. Omonia are the heavy underdogs and go into the fixture at 10/1 to win according to one leading sportsbook.

So, is Wednesday night’s first leg match a foregone conclusion for Omonia? Not at all. The Cypriot club began their Champions League journey in the first qualifying round. They defeated Ararat-Armenia, Legia Warsaw, and Red Star Belgrade on penalties.

Omonia allowed just one goal in three qualifying round matches. Unlike the qualifying rounds, the playoff round will be a two-legged tie. The two-legged format will hand the advantage to Olympiakos as 180 minutes of football always favours the stronger side.

Olympiakos enter the Champions League at the playoff round. They have played just once in the Greek Super League and fitness could be an issue for them. Olympiakos’ only game in the Greek Super League came last weekend with a 3-0 win against Asteras Tripolis.

Omonia last played in the Champions League qualifying rounds in 2010-11. Since the transformation of the European Cup into the Champions League, Omonia have not progressed past the qualifying rounds.

The Cypriot side are in the midst of their league season. Omonia have played four times thus far and sit third in the First Division. They are yet to lose on the domestic front.

Omonia’s defence has been excellent in the Champions League qualifying rounds. They won 1-0 against Ararat-Armenia and 2-0 versus Red Star Belgrade. Their defence has been very good, but will be challenged by Olympiakos more than in previous rounds.

Olympiakos are a very experienced team in the Champions League. They won the Greek Super League last term and reached the Champions League group stage.

Manager Pedro Martins’ team were unable to get out of the group stage but did move to the Europa League last 32 after finishing third behind Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur.

Olympiakos defeated Arsenal in a dramatic fixture at the Emirates in the Europa League before losing to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the last 16. They have the pedigree to get a win on Wednesday night at home before playing the second leg next week in Cyprus.

Forward Youssef El-Arabi scored 27 goals in 51 matches in all competitions last season. Seven of those came in European competition. El-Arabi could be on form and get a goal versus Omonia on Wednesday night.

Olympiakos should be challenged by Omonia, but in the end, come through with a first-leg win at home. The fixture should be low scoring as Omonia keep things close for the second fixture.

Home team
Away team

Probability %

1X2

Pred

Correct score

Avg. goals

Weather conditions

Coef.

Score

Live
coef.

UCL

Olympiacos FC Omonia Nicosia 23/09/2020 21:00

433522

1

1 - 0

2.44

24°

1.44

1.44 4.45 7.90 1 -1 -1

FT

2 - 0(0 - 0)

-

- - -