Champions League Preview: Standard Liege - Olympiacos

Kick-Off: Wednesday, November 4, 20:45 CET.
Stade Maurice Dufrasne, Liege.

Elimination Looming

Standard Liege will go into their first ever home meeting with Olympiacos knowing that defeat in this clash will officially end any chance they have of advancing to the next round of this season’s UEFA Champions League.

Things were looking good for Standard against English giants Arsenal on the opening matchday, when two goals in under five minutes gave them an immediate advantage. One goal towards the end of the first half, and two in the second ensured the Gunners took home the three points though, denying the Belgians a dream start.

A draw against a struggling AZ side followed, before the Belgians tripped up in Greece. Standard, therefore, find themselves in a dangerous position, with just one point to their name.

Alex Witsel returned at the weekend, having serving an eight match ban for a horrific challenge that broke an opponent’s leg, but he could not inspire his side to victory. Instead they were held to a scoreless draw by Excelsior Mouscron.

That game was only the second time all season that Standard have failed to score, and incredibly it was their seventh draw in the space of 13 matches, having failed to win in normal time in any of their last five games.

They have it all to play for in this match. However, they will be lacking confidence having failed to excel over the past month. Their spot in this competition is on the line though, so surely they will come to play.

Chance To Progress

Olympiacos, who won the Greek league and cup double once again last season, will book their place in the next stage of the competition with a win here, assuming Arsenal manage to defeat AZ.

With six points to their name, a win would take them eight points clear of this week’s opponents and seven ahead of the Dutch outfit if results go their way.

Having been crowned champions of the Greek League every season since 1996-97 (aside from the 2003/04 campaign) they will be keen to continue their impressive form in the Champions League.

Having won their past seven league fixtures – conceding just one in their last five – Zico’s men are in red hot form coming into what will prove to be a defining moment of their season.

The players will be brimming with confidence, especially considering the fact that they have won their last eight fixtures on the road. They have recorded 11 clean sheets in all competitions this term.


FORM GUIDE

Standard Liege

October 30 v Excelsior Mouscron (A) – DREW 0-0 (Pro League)

October 27 v Lierse SK– (A) WON 2-1aet (Belgian Cup)

October 24 v Zulte Waregem (H) – DREW 1-1 (Pro League)

October 20 v Olympiacos (A) – LOST 2-1 (Champions League)

October 17 v Westerlo (A) – LOST 2-0 (Pro League)

Olympiacos

October 31 v Atromitos (A) – WON 1-0 (Super League)

October 27 v Panserraikos (A) – LOST 1-3 (Greek Cup)

October 24 v Ergotelis (H) – WON 2-1 (Super League)

October 20 v Standard Liege (H) – WON 2-1 (Champions League)

October 17 v Asteras Tripolis FC (H) – WON 3-0 (Super League)


TEAM NEWS

Standard Liege

Les Rouches’ captain, Steven Defour, is set to miss out once again. He is still struggling to recover from the broken foot he suffered just days before the Arsenal match on the opening matchday. Cedric Collet is still out with the broken metatarsal, whilst Igor De Camargo was rested at the weekend with a similar injury. He has not played a match since these two sides last met.

Possible Starting XI – (4-4-2): Van Hout; Camozzato, Sarr, Felipe, Mulemo; Mangala, Witsel, Traore, Carcela-Gonzalez; Angeli, Jovanovic.

Olympiacos

As was the case on Matchday 3, the Greeks have a number of problems to deal with on the injury front. The biggest news surrounds the fitness of key defenders Michal Zewlakow and Olof Mellberg, who have both had knee complaints over the past few days. Both remain in contention to play and may be risked for the crucial clash.

Matt Derbyshire continues with his struggles to overcome a groin injury. Enzo Maresca picked up a knock in the cup defeat to Panserraikos. Diogo is still carrying an ankle injury, Andreas Vasilogiannis will be out for the next six months due to a knee problem and Jaouad Zairi was injured in training just days ago.

Possible Starting-XI (4-5-1): Nikopolidis; Pantos, Zewlakow, Mellberg, Raul Bravo; Katsikogiannis, Stoltidis, Galletti, Oscar, Soiledis; Mitroglou.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Standard Liege – Milan Jovanovic: The Serbian striker was the dominant player for his side in the early stages of the season, scoring eight goals in all competitions. In recent times he has struggled to rediscover his best touch, and has failed to score in over a month. He needs to fire to keep his side’s hopes alive in the competition.

Olympiacos – Kostas Mitroglou: The 21-year-old hitman has to stand up this week and ensure he does the damage up front for the Greeks. With his defenders leading the way for the large part of the campaign, the starlet will need to continue to build on his four goals from his past five outings to help his side record what would be a crucial victory.


PREDICTION

It promises to be an evenly balanced encounter, very similar to the match in Greece two weeks ago. Despite their number of absentees, Olympiacos are in exceptional form at present, and will narrowly edge Standard, officially eliminating them from the competition in the process.

Standard Liege 1-2 Olympiacos

Adrian Del Monte, Goal.com