Olympiacos v Manchester Utd-Preview,Team News and Predictions

The Greek giants pitted against the Champions of England

Some United fans would feel the need to take Olympiacos lightly in an all important Champions League fixture at Piraeus.But,for the non-believers let me tell you-Olympiacos are 26 points clear at the top of Greek Super League table and have a astounding record in their last 28 games.They have won 26 of their last 28 and this serves as a testimony to what we might expect out of them at the Karaiskakis Stadium in Greece.And Michel's men are unbeaten in the League since February last year have scored an astonishing 69 goals and have conceded just 9.They are back from hammering 4 past OFI Crete ,following a hat-trick from Serbian striker Marko Scepovic.

And the concerning state of things for the Red Devils is about salvaging some pride by advancing into the next round.They have been surprisingly unbeaten in this competition this season and this piece of stat ,sure will offer them a lift.There will still be some doubts surrounding United's abilities to unlock defenses but their last game against Palace reflected Marouane Fellaini's return to form.Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney scored once each to hand United a much-needed 2-0 victory in London.

Another interesting stats refers to how United have fared in their previous four games against the Greek giants,saying that United have won all of their four outings against Olympiacos,with the last one in 2002.

They game will be an interesting watch for the neutrals but a nervous one for the United faithfuls,so let's take a look at it in further detail.

Team News

Olympiacos are seemingly lucky of not facing Juan Mata as the Spaniard is already cup tied with rivals Chelsea,from whom he joined this January.David Moyes will check on Jonny Evans' ,Rafael da Silva and Phil Jones' fitness,who all were excluded from United's showing at Selhurst Park.

As far as Olympiacos are concerned,their recent hat-trick hero Marko Scepovic's fate is same as Mata's and veteran Javier Pedro Saviola will also miss their crucial tie against the Man United.January recruits Hernan Perez and Ivan Marcano will be available to step onto the pitch but 29 year old Nelson Valdez is a major doubt to face the English Champions.

Expected Line-ups

Olympiacos : Roberto; Bong, Siovas, Manolas, Salino, 

Samaris; Maniatis, Fuster, Domínguez, Campbell; Valdez

Manchester United : De Gea; Smalling, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra; Fellaini, Carrick, Valencia, Januzaj; Rooney; Van Persie

Predictions

Nobody can deny the a peculiar sort tension will be hanging around in the atmosphere ,especially for the United fans but Olympiacos will fancy their chances against the vulnerable Red Devils.If United play the way they played against Crystal Palace,then joyous celebrations may commence in the United camp even before the game ends. Michel's men would like to pull out an upset which will jeopardize David Moyes' position further.

IOTW predicts a 2-0 win for the Red Devils