Champions League underdogs that can spring a surprise this season

4. Olympiacos

There have been a few teams who have been knocking on the doors of qualification to the Round of 16 every term, but have somehow faltered in the end, albeit closely.

Olympiacos is one such club which hasn’t seen the rub of the green in recent seasons, as they have missed out on qualification to the knockout rounds of the Champions League by one point in each of the last two terms.

Last season, they were placed in a tough group alongside Schalke, Arsenal and then-French champions Montpellier, and were eliminated on the final matchday of the group stages, finishing just a single point behind Arsenal. The 2011-12 season represented a similar misery for the Greek side, as they missed out on qualification by just one point in group that included Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund and Marseille.

With a team that has seen some strengthening over the summer, 2013-14 could prove to be third time lucky for the Greeks as they look to secure a passage to the knockout rounds. The signings of Javier Saviola, Marco Skeprovic and Joel Campbell, the latter on loan, have beefed up their strikeforce, while the likes of Sambou Yatabare and Carl Medjani have been brought in to strengthen their backline as well.

While PSG will be undoubtedly the favourites in Group C, Benfica represents the team that can be beaten at Olympiacos’ Karaiskakis Stadium and pipped to a Round of 16 berth, given that Anderlecht are unlikely to challenge for a spot.

With a little luck on their side this time, the Greeks could make a march towards the final 16, a berth that will be well-deserved, given their exploits in recent seasons.