FC Porto vs Olympiakos: UEFA Europa League League Phase Matchday Seven Preview

By Stephen Kountourou

UEFA Europa League League Phase Matchday Three: 23/01/25

Kick-off Time: 19:45 Greek Time

Venue: Estádio do Dragão

Where to Watch: Cosmote Sport 3 HD

A new year has rolled around and with it even more, football for us to enjoy. Even we as Greek football fans, whose teams enjoyed a brief break over Christmas, barely got time to breathe before delving back into the beautiful game once more. That hasn’t changed.

Of course, UEFA’s top two competitions, the Champions League and the Europa League, have yet to complete their respective league phases. Two matchdays left before we find out who has qualified for either the round of 16 or the playoffs, and who is eliminated. 

Regarding the context of the new format, Olympiakos are still in the mix, having almost certainly guaranteed themselves a playoff place while also looking to secure a seeded spot, which would give them a less difficult opponent in theory.

The Conference League holders still have their remaining league phase games to worry about, the first being a tough trip to a familiar foe in FC Porto. The Dragons also hover around midtable and intend to finish as high as possible in the playoffs. 

After three draws on the trot for Thrylos, breaking that duct is what Jose Luis Mendilibar and his players should be aiming for.

 

Last time in the UEL

It feels like an age since the last European fixtures were played so it hardly feels as though the previous results will not be as good a gauge for where both teams find themselves compared to their domestic form before and after the new year. That said, there is still a lot for both sides to play for going into matchday seven.

Olympiakos drew for the third Europa League game in a row when they hosted Dutch side FC Twente at Karaiskaki in December. 

The Conference League holders had their chances to take the victory but were unable to finish their chances in the big moments. Twente meanwhile were able to catch the hosts on the counter, but they two ended up with nothing to show for it. 

The result did not hugely impact either side with Olympiakos, according to football meets data, being 98% projected to qualify for the playoffs barring a complete collapse in their final two matches. 

The dragons by contrast comfortably saw off Danish side FC Midtjylland at home in a 2-0 victory. 

The hosts dominated proceedings, with 17 shots and seven on target, as Danny Namaso opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark. 

In the second half, it was much the same as Samu Aghehowa doubled Porto’s lead, putting the Danish side out of sight to see out their second win of the European campaign.

League form

Since their last Europa League match, Thrylos have enjoyed a six-game unbeaten run. They drew with Athens Kallithea in the league and eternal rivals Panathinaikos in the first leg of the Greek Cup quarter-finals, but won against Lamia, Panetolikos, Aris, and Atromitos to put them four points ahead in the Greek Super League table. 

The most recent game in Peristeri was a perfect snippet of Olympiakos in the league this season. In the first half, a Rodinei cross floated into the box with captain Panos Retsos heading home to make it 0-1. 

Five minutes later Costinha’s cross found the head of Ayoub El Kaabi, who scored his 50th for the club and doubled Olympiakos’s lead. Atromitos pulled one back just before halftime through Athanasios Karamanis. 

For the next 45 minutes, Olympiakos failed to restore their two-goal cushion and Atromitos could not find an equaliser. In added time Atromitos were given a very controversial penalty.

Tom Van Weert stepped up but was denied by Kostas Tzolakis, whose vital save snatched back a win from the jaws of capitulation.

Porto, unlike Olympiakos, has had a torrid time domestically. Two defeats in the league against Nacional and Gil Vicente, as well as being knocked out of the Taca da Liga by Sporting Lisbon, meant that Vitor Bruno was sacked as head coach. 

Jose Tavares will take interim charge of the Dragons for the game against the Conference League champions.

Previous encounters

Olympiakos has a long history against the Portuguese sides. Thrylos have faced the big three, including Benfica, Porto and Sporting, as well as Braga most recently, and Arouca. 

Having played 20 matches in total, the Piraeus side has won nine, drawn twice and lost nine. Against FC Porto their record is mixed with three wins, one draw and four losses. 

Looking at away matches, which is the most valid data as this game will be played in Portugal, Olympiakos has never won in Porto, only drawing once and losing three times.

The last time they played Porto specifically was also the last time Olympiakos competed in the UEFA Champions League back in 2020/21. Both games, home and away, ended with 2-0 defeats for Thrylos.

The first of three crucial fixtures for Thrylos

Every match now is important for Mendiibar and his players who are fighting on all fronts to achieve the club's goals this season. There is the derby against Panathinaikos, which is huge in the Greek Super League title race, and the next week for the final Europa League League Phase game against Qarabag. 

While Mendi will be looking at how he can rotate his team to get the best possible results from all of these games, the first focus is of course the trip to Portugal. 

With their opponents in transition and looking for a permanent manager and out of form in recent domestic results, this could be an opportunity for Thrylos to get their first win against the Dragons on the road in their 100-year history.

@SteveKountourou

Hellas Football