Olympiakos vs FC Twente: UEFA Europa League matchday six preview

By Stephen Kountourou

 

UEFA Europa League League Phase Matchday Six: 12/12/24

Kick-off Time: 19:45 Greek Time

Venue: Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium 

Where to Watch: Cosmote Sport 3 HD

We have arrived at the final European matchday of the year. Yet, unlike the previous format where this would spell the end of the group stages and a draw or the knockout stages, there will still be two more League Phase fixtures to play for teams in the Champions League and Europa League at the beginning of 2025. 

Even after this week of fixtures has concluded, most teams could still have much to play for. Olympiakos could be one of those teams. For the third matchday in a row, Thrylos have the opportunity to secure the top 24 mathematically and then look to seal a place in either the automatic places, the seeded playoff places or, at the very worst, resign themselves to an unseeded playoff place. 

But with two draws on the bounce to Rangers and FCSB, the third time could be the charm against FC Twente. The Dutch side has struggled in The Europa League this season, currently without a win after five matches and languishing outside of the playoff places in 29th place out of 36 teams. 

The Conference League holders must capitalise on this, at home on Thursday night with a packed Karaiskaki crowd, to take the first steps to the playoffs of UEFA’s second-tier competition. An automatic place is still on the cards. 

Last time in the UEL

Olympiakos

Thrylos travelled to Bucharest to take on the former European champions with several notable players absent from the squad. In an even fixture, both sides had few chances to break the deadlock throughout the first half. 

Even after the break when the hosts went down to ten men Mendilibars men could not capitals on having a man advantage and could only draw 0-0 after the final whistle. It was a disappointing performance but considering where their opponents are in the League Phase table, not the worst result away from home. 

Twente

The Reds hosted Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise on matchday five. Early on the home side went behind after Mohammed Fuseini scored for USG in the 11th minute. Twente created some ample chances after conceding, but failed throughout the game to find an equaliser and suffered another defeat in Europe. They are still winless after five matches.

Domestic results

Olympiakos

The Piraeus side has enjoyed some good form towards the end of the calendar year, and that was highlighted in their last three domestic fixtures. First, the team travelled to Crete for a tough test against OFI, where they came away with a 0-2 win. A header from Giulian Biancone and Chiquinho scoring late on to seal the victory. 

In the Greek Cup in midweek, despite drawing with Athens Kallithea 1-1, the results were enough to send Olympiakos through to the quarter-finals on aggregate. 

Most recently, Mendilibars men hosted Volos in Karaiskaki. In a fixture that Thrylos has slipped up in before, fans were given some early relief when Ayoub El Kaabi scored after just three minutes to put the hosts in front. 

Talented youngster Charalampos Kostoulas doubled his side's lead just before the break and super-sub Gelson Martins, who had returned from injury, found the winner in the second half to cap off the win which kept Olympiakos at the top of the Super League table for another week.

Twente

After disappointment in Europe, Twente hosted Go Ahead Eagles in the Eredivisie. The away side took a 2-0 lead in the first half with Jakob Breum scoring a brace. Sam Lammers pulled one back just before halftime. 

In the latter stages, the Reds scored twice in nine minutes, with Sam Steijn scoring the equaliser, and Bas Kuipers grabbing the winner to complete the hosts turn around and win.

This close victory, however, was followed by an absolute drubbing at the hands of Dutch champions PSV. Sem Steijn scored in consecutive matches to put Twente ahead, however, nothing could prevent the onslaught that was about the ensue. 

From the 20th minute until halftime, PSV scored three times to well and truly turned the match on its head. A further three after the break resulted in a 6-1 drubbing for Twente on their trip to Eindhoven.

Competitive record

This is the first competitive fixture between the two sides, although Olympiakos is familiar with facing Dutch opposition. Having previously faced, Ajax, PSV, AZ Alkmaar and Heerenveen, Thrylos have played 12 matches, winning five, drawing three, and losing four. 

The Piraeus side also has an excellent home record against teams from the Netherlands, with all five of their wins and a draw coming in Greece while they have scored 11 times and only conceded three.

FC Twente meanwhile, also have a good record against Greek opponents. In six matches where they faced AEK, Panachaiki and Panionios, the Dutch side won four, drew once and lost once, scoring 15 and conceding six. 

End 2024 with qualification?

Olympiakos come into this last European fixture of the calendar year in very good form. Jose Luis Mendilibar has started to get his team playing consistently in the league, the cup and Europe. 

Summer signings, including Willian and Sergio Oliveria, are starting to show their quality in recent matches. Youngsters like Christos Mouzakitis and Charalmpos Kostoulas are stepping up in the first team. Everything seems to be coming together. 

To take the pressure off of their final two fixtures at the turn of the new year, Olympiakos must get the win in Piraeus to, as said before, at least secure the top 24 in the League Phase and keep their prospects of progressing deeper into Europe in their own hands.  

@SteveKountourou

Hellas Football