Olympiacos vs Real Madrid Prediction: Hey Jude, Please Score me a Goal

Real Madrid need to get back on track in the Champions League following a really insipid display at Anfield last time out, where they barely laid a glove on a Liverpool side struggling for form. They travel to Greece on Wednesday night for a 20:00 kick-off, live on TNT Sports 5.

Our La Liga Betting Expert got the assignment for this match. He likes an Englishman to have a good moment in front of goal and for the net to ripple at both ends. Check out his thoughts with our match preview and Olympiacos vs Real Madrid Predictions here at Betfred Insights...

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Match Preview: 

Winless Olympiacos are in need of a surprise victory over Real Madrid as they bid to boost their chances of progressing in the Champions League. 

They've been going well in the Greek Super League, which they top, but it has been a different story on the European stage for José Luis Mendilibar's side. It already feels like it's going to be a story of what might have been for Olympiacos, who failed to make the most of favourable opening home fixtures against Pafos and PSV. 

The 2023/24 Conference League winners had the better of the chances in each of those games. However, they failed to score with any of their 18 attempts against the Cypriot debutants, who were playing with 10 men for more than an hour, and hung on for a 0-0 draw. They had an identical number of shots against PSV earlier this month, but were again held to a draw in Piraeus. 

Away fixtures against Arsenal and Barcelona were always unlikely to yield any points. Olympiacos were beaten 2-0 at the Emirates, and 6-1 in Catalonia. They did actually compete quite well against Barça for much of that game, but some controversial refereeing calls and a red card for Santiago Hezze contributed to a late collapse. 

The Greek outfit are quite an experienced side that relies heavily on a number of players who are over the age of 30. Ayoub El Kaabi is usually their main attacking threat, with the Moroccan scoring 10 goals in 15 matches in all competitions this term. The 32-year-old has the pace to trouble the Real Madrid defence in this match. 

The visitors don't take great form into this game, with Xabi Alonso's team winless in three matches in all competitions. They are still well placed to reach the top eight in the Champions League, but a 100% start in Europe ended with a deserved 1-0 defeat at Anfield earlier this month. 

Since then, Real Madrid have drawn both of their matches in La Liga, with their advantage at the top slashed to just one point. They struggled to create clear opportunities in a goalless encounter against Rayo Vallecano before the international break. There were more chances for the Spanish giants at the weekend, but they could still only draw 2-2 against newly promoted Elche. 

Alonso moved to a back three in that match, with Trent Alexander-Arnold making his first start since August on the right flank. The Englishman was on corner duty and whipped in some excellent deliveries, although he was criticised for his defending as Aleix Febas got the wrong side of the ex-Liverpool defender to score the game's opening goal. 

A goal and an assist from Jude Bellingham helped Los Blancos rescue a point, but these are slightly worrying times for their recently appointed boss. Alonso was brought in as the master tactician that could connect the dots in a talented Real Madrid side. Yet, too often they still feel like a team that lacks cohesion and remains reliant on moments of individual brilliance. 

Team News: 

Olympiacos consistently set up with a 4-2-3-1 system, with El Kaabi leading the line. They're largely doing well on the fitness front, but are missing back-up goalkeeper Alexandros Paschalakis to an injury as they prepare to welcome the 15-time European champions. Defender Bruno Onyemaechi is also a doubt. 

As for Real Madrid, they have some significant defensive issues heading into this match. Centre-backs Antonio Rüdiger, Éder Militão, Dean Huijsen and David Alaba are all dealing with injuries and are absent from the travelling squad. That leaves Raúl Asencio as their only fit central defender. 

Dani Carvajal and Franco Mastantuono also miss out, as does Thibaut Courtois who has been dealing with a bout of gastroenteritis. Fede Valverde and Vinícius Júnior should return to the lineup, after only making the bench at the weekend. 

Match Odds: 

Despite their selection problems, Real Madrid are still the 2/5 favourites to win this match. You can back the Draw at 18/5, while Olympiacos are available at 6/1 to record their first Champions League victory of the season. 

You can back Olympiacos to win or draw at 7/4 in the Double Chance market. The hosts are also available at 5/2 to score over 1.5 goals against an injury-ravaged visiting defence. 

Real Madrid will be hoping they'll still have too much class in other areas of the pitch, and they're on offer at 5/4 to score over 2.5 goals. You can back Los Blancos to score in both halves at 19/20, while they're priced at 11/5 to win both halves. 

Kylian Mbappé has carried Madrid's attacking threat at times this season. He's priced at 9/4 to score first, and 4/7 to score anytime here. Meanwhile, Vinícius is on offer at 11/8 to score at some stage in the game. 

From a home perspective, El Kaabi is priced at 15/8 to get on the scoresheet. Their second-highest scorer this term is Mehdi Taremi, although the Iranian has only been used off the bench in Europe. He's priced at 17/2 to score last. 

*You can see all of our Olympiacos vs Real Madrid Odds and betting markets over on betfred.com

Olympiacos vs Real Madrid Prediction 1 - Over 2.5 goals & Both teams to score @ 21/20 

Real Madrid will go with Andriy Lunin in goal here, while either Álvaro Carreras or Fran García will likely need to shuffle across from left-back into central defence to partner the inexperienced Asencio, who has been far from flawless this year. 

That will almost inevitably leave them more vulnerable defensively than might have been the case. Even their regular centre-backs have been caught out at times, and Real needed Courtois to make some outstanding saves just to keep the score down at Liverpool in their last Champions League match. 

Olympiacos' direct approach should ensure they ask questions, and they look capable of getting on the scoresheet. However, they have let in nine goals across their last three European fixtures, and Real Madrid's attacking stars should get space to operate in. 

Given that, I'm using the Bet Builder to back Over 2.5 goals and Both teams to score. 

Olympiacos vs Real Madrid Prediction 2 - Jude Bellingham to score anytime @ 15/8 

With Mbappé failing to score in each of his last three club appearances, Bellingham looks a better option as a Real Madrid goalscorer bet in this match, at much longer odds. 

He has mostly been used as an advanced central midfielder by Alonso. That is giving the Englishman plenty of freedom to roam into the penalty area and offer a consistent goal threat. The 22-year-old has scored in four of his last six appearances for Los Blancos, and he's had at least one shot on target in each of his last nine. 

In a favourable Champions League fixture, Bellingham looks to offer great value at odds of 15/8 to score anytime. 

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