Prediction: Olympiacos vs West Ham

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Turning their attention back to Europa League duties on Thursday evening West Ham will travel to the Karaiskakis Stadium when they meet Olympiacos.

Olympiacos

Starting with the hosts, watching their fierce derby showdown against Panathinaikos get abandoned over the weekend after a substitute was struck by a firework while warming up, Olympiacos will be under plenty of scrutiny on Thursday evening. With the potential of still being hit with some rather hefty sanctions still looming over them, the Greek giants are also seeking some much-needed Europa League stability. Although Diego Martinez’s side might have continued on a real domestic romp since opening up the 2023/24 campaign, the one-time Granada boss has seen his squad muster just a single point from their first two European showdowns. Getting proceedings underway with an action-packed 3-2 loss at the hands of German outfit Freiburg back on September 21st, Olympiacos know that they face a must-win challenge in midweek. However, losing four of their last six Europa League showdowns at the Karaiskakis Stadium, Martinez’s men should face another stern challenge here.

Team News

Still dealing with a long-term thigh injury and not making a single appearance since completing a loan switch from Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest, Omar Richards will once again miss out on Thursday evening. Likewise, Olympiacos have also confirmed that ex-PSG starlet Bandiougou Fadiga will not feature here.

Opening his Europa League account against TSC prior to October’s international break, former Wolves star Daniel Podence will once again spearhead Martinez’s charge at the Karaiskakis Stadium.

West Ham

As for the visitors, marking their return from October’s international break with a nightmare performance over the weekend, West Ham are seeking an immediate response here. Eventually blown away in the Midlands as they slumped to a 4-1 drumming at the hands of Aston Villa, David Moyes’ side will be excited to turn their attention back to Europa League duties on Thursday evening. Last seen in European action landing an eye-catching 2-1 victory away at Freiburg, the former Manchester United boss has seen his side collect maximum points from their first two Group A contests. With some around east London dreaming of the chance to mount another genuine top-six charge this time around, West Ham are seeking some much-needed stability at the back. Hit for four away at Villa last weekend, Moyes’ side have mustered just a pair of clean sheets from their first 12 appearances across all competitions.

Team News

Inching closer to a return from injury, West Ham are hopeful that veteran defender Aaron Creswell will be able to make a return to Moyes’ travelling squad on Thursday evening. Losing his spot as West Ham’s domestic number-one this season, former Poland international Lukas Fabianski will return between the sticks here.

Finding the net in each of his last five Premier League appearances on the road, the red-hot Jarrod Bowen will have a crucial role to play in midweek. The one-time Hull starlet will be joined in the final third by summer recruit Mohamed Kudus.

Key Factors to Consider

• Including a 4-1 loss away at Aston Villa over the weekend, West Ham have recorded just two clean sheets from their first 12 appearances across all competitions.
• Likewise, the Hammers have also recorded just a pair of clean sheets away from the London Stadium since back on April 23rd.
• Olympiacos have lost four of their previous six Europa League appearances at the Karaiskakis Stadium.
• The Greek giants have shipped five strikes in their opening two Europa League appearances this season.
• England international Jarrod Bowen has found the net in each of his previous five Premier League showdowns on the road.

Conclusion

Eventually slumping to a nightmare 4-1 drumming at the hands of Aston Villa over the weekend, West Ham will be desperate to claim an immediate Europa League response. However, while Moyes’ men might have secured back-to-back Group A victories this year, they have certainly shown some extended issues at the back. Recording just a pair of clean sheets from any of their first 12 appearances across all formats, chances could come thick and fast here. With the Hammers seeing five of their first six away fixtures finish with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome on Thursday evening.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Olympusbet