FC Porto will host Olympiacos at the Estádio do Dragão on Thursday evening, facing off in a pivotal match for both teams as they look to secure their spots for the next round of the UEFA Europa League. With both sides sitting mid-table, Porto is currently 18th with eight points, just behind Olympiacos, who are 15th with nine points.
This clash signifies more than just three points; it is also about redemption. FC Porto has had their share of struggles recently, suffering three consecutive losses across all competitions. Their last defeat came on Sunday against Gil Vicente, where they lost 3-1, leaving fans wondering if they can turn things around. Meanwhile, Olympiacos is enjoying outstanding form, remaining unbeaten for 16 matches and riding high on their recent successes.
Kick-off is set for Thursday, January 23, 2025, at 5:45 PM UK time (11:15 PM IST). The match will gratefully be officiated by French referee Clément Turpin.
Both teams need victories to strengthen their chances of advancing from the league phase. Porto has shown pockets of brilliance earlier this season, including their 2-0 win over FC Midtjylland in the last Europa League outing. But it's been the league troubles and the pressure of the tight competition within their group that's stung them.
Olympiacos also faced their challenges, but the Greek side is on the back of good results, having achieved notable feats, such as winning their last four league encounters. Their latest success was achieved with star striker Ayoub El Kaabi leading from the front, noted for his impressive tally of 17 goals this season, four of which came from this year's Europa campaign.
This match becomes especially key for FC Porto, who will be without several key players: Ivan Marcano is out with cruciate ligament issues, alongside Marko Grujić and Wendell due to muscle injuries. Olympiacos will also miss Yusuf Yazıcı, nursing his own cruciate ligament recovery.
The last time these teams met was back during the 2020-21 Champions League group stage, where Porto achieved back-to-back 2-0 victories against the Greek team – results still fresh on the minds of Olympiacos players.
Historically, these two sides are quite evenly matched. They have met on eight occasions, with Porto edging the rivalry with four wins to Olympiacos’s three. This suggests both lineups have the potential to build on their historical momentum.
Key players to watch will undoubtedly include Samuel Aghehowa for Porto, who has made significant strides for his new club, netting five goals in his first six Europa League outings. He will need to shake off his current dry spell if Porto hopes for success. For Olympiacos, El Kaabi remains ever-threatening, having consistently found the back of the net, turning him to one of the marquee players to keep defenders at bay.
Team news and injuries play pivotal roles as both clubs ride the competitive wave of the Europa League. Despite their troubled start to the year, Porto’s resolve at home holds promise. They remain unbeaten at Estádio do Dragão and have shown their capability to score seven goals there, along with two clean sheets. Olympiacos’s ability to perform away, having won only once out of their last nine trips to Portuguese shores, could speak volumes as they aim to push their unbeaten run to 17 matches.
This match not only holds importance for immediate standings but also concerns the future potential of both squads as they plot their European journeys. With recent results on the mind and both teams desperately needing points, Thursday's clash promises to be enthralling.
Fans can tune in for the match across various platforms, including Sony Sports Network, TNT Sports, and streaming options such as fubo TV and Paramount+ for live coverage.