Preview: Olympiacos vs Manchester United

Olympiacos vs Manchester United

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UEFA Champions League, Round of 16

Tuesday 25 February, 2014

19:45 KO (BST) 1:15 (IST)

Karaiskakis Stadium, Athens (32,115)

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Olympiacos

“We know there’s lots at stake for Manchester United in this match. We know Manchester United are not allowed to make any mistakes due to their position in the Premier League and we have to say probably this kind of situation may weigh too much on their players’ shoulders. It could be an incentive to them or it could be a burden on their shoulders.” – Michel (Olympiacos manager).

Starting XI from: Roberto, Balazs Megyeri; Kostas Manolas, Dimitrios Siovas, Avraam Papadopoulos, Gaetan Bong, Jose Holebas, Leandro Salino, Ivan Marcano; Giannis Maniatis, Andreas Samaris, Delvin Ndinga, Paulo Machado, David Fuster, Alejandro Dominguez, Joel Campbell; Nikos Vergos, Michael Olaitan

Doubts: Nelson Valdez (ankle)

Unavailable: Javier Saviola (thigh)

Top scorer: Javier Saviola, Kostas Manolas, Alejandro Dominguez (2)

Most assists: Ten players (1)

Group C record: P6 W3 D1 L2 F10 A8 Pts10 (2nd)

UCL form: L W D W L W

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United

“Olympiacos did very well against PSG and Benfica. They came through a difficult group, they have a great home record here. We know it will be a difficult night. They have a big support. It’s far from an easy match.”- David Moyes.

“When you get to this stage in the competition you can’t afford any slip-ups or you’re out. The away leg is very important – we need to get a good result there.” – Shinji Kagawa.

Starting XI from: David de Gea, Anders Lindegaard; Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Chris Smalling, Alex Buttner, Patrice Evra; Antonio Valencia, Adnan Januzaj, Ashley Young, Ryan Giggs, Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini, Tom Cleverley, Shinji Kagawa, Jesse Lingard; Danny Welbeck, Javier Hernandez, Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie

Doubts: Rafael da Silva (concussion)

Unavailable: Nani (hamstring), Jonny Evans (calf), Phil Jones (concussion), Juan Mata (ineligible)

Top scorer: Wayne Rooney, Antonio Valencia (2)

Most assists: Wayne Rooney (3)

Group A record: P6 W4 D2 L0 F12 A3 Pts14 (1st)

UCL form: W D W D W W

Record vs Olympiacos: P4 W4 D0 L0 F12 A2

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Previous meetings

Olympiacos 2-3 United (23-10-02)

United 4-0 Olympiacos (01-10-02)

United 3-0 Olympiacos (23-10-01)

Olympiacos 0-2 United (10-10-01)

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Officials

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi.

The 40-year-old official has taken charge of 2 Champions League matches this season, brandishing 4 yellow cards. Last seen by United fans during the 2-0 win over Ajax in the Reds’ ill-fated 2011/12 Europa League campaign.

Assistants: Elenito Di Liberatore, Gianluca Cariolato.

Fourth Official: Alessandro Giallatini.

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Notes

Should he feature, Ryan Giggs will make a 150th European Cup appearance for Manchester United.

Nemanja Vidic looks set to make a 50th appearance in the Champions League for Manchester United.

United are on a run of four consecutive clean sheets in this season’s UEFA Champions League.

Olympiacos have won 6 of their last 8 home matches in the Champions League, scoring in all of them.

Olympiacos are unbeaten at home in their last 5 matches against English opposition.

Ryan Giggs scored twice in a 4-0 United romp over Olympiacos back in October, 2002 – the last time an English club won away to Olympiacos.

United are one of only three sides still unbeaten in this season’s competiton (Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid).

United are also one of three teams (Atletico Madrid and Chelsea) with the best defensive record, having conceded only 3 goals.

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RedMancunian predictions

Jack (@jackkholt): Olympiacos 1-2 United

Craig (@CraigNorwood): Olympiacos 0-3 United

Sam (@CenterSneak): Olympiacos 1-2 United

Jay (@RFFH): Olympiacos 0-1 United

Mark (@mdhzk3): Olympiacos 1-2 United

Andy (@andy_thomo): Olympiacos 1-2 United

Nick (@ManUnitedYouth): Olympiacos 0-2 United