Olympiakos v West Ham: Hammers can smash Greek resistance

• Olympiakos without a win so far

• Hammers 100% in group stage

• Nine of 12 WHUFC games have featured 3+ goals

Olympiakos v West Ham
Thursday 26 October, 17:45
Live on TNT Sports

Greek gods have lost their aura

Olympiakos didn't exactly have the perfect preparation for their UEL clash with West Ham. Their derby against Athens foes Panathinaikos was suspended when a firework was thrown from the crowd and struck one of the Pana substitutes.

It perhaps should be no surprise in a game dubbed the "derby of eternal enemies", but it was still a disgraceful way for the game to be cut short.

For much of the 21st century, Olympiakos have been Champions League group-stage regulars, but that hasn't been the case for the Greek giants recently. They didn't even qualify for this season's UCL (they finished third in the Greek Super League), and they fell in the playoffs in 2021 and 2022.

They have however made a good start to the domestic campaign. The Piraeus club are top of the table, two points ahead of bitter local rivals and current champions AEK with a game in hand.

Spanish coach Diego Martinez is currently at the helm, a man who worked wonders with Granada earlier in his career, taking them into La Liga and helping them qualify for Europe. They even got to the quarter-finals of the Europa League, before eventually falling to Manchester United. His lustre faded a bit last season, as he oversaw Espanyol's relegation from La Liga (he left in April, but had been in charge for most of the campaign).

Olympiakos will be without the suspended Andreas Ndoj, while Daniel Podence has been a big hit since returning to the club from Wolves. After a spell in England that can best be described as "hit and miss", the Portuguese forward has already banged in four goals for the club where he previously made his name.

Hammers keen to move on from Villa Park drubbing

While there was a spell in the second half when they threatened to get back into the game, West Ham were largely outclassed in Sunday's 4-1 hammering at Villa Park.

There's no shame in losing to a side that has now reeled off 11 straight home wins in the Premier League, but it was still a sobering defeat. Hammers boss David Moyes admitted his side had been deservedly beaten on the day, and the East London side have now won just one of their last five top-flight matches.

The Europa League has featured no such horrors for Moyes and company. A 3-1 comeback win over Backa Topola was followed by a highly impressive 2-1 victory at Freiburg, a place that falls into the category of "not an easy place to go".

It's worth bearing in mind just how strong the West Ham squad looks these days. Lucas Paqueta and Edson Alvarez have a nice balance in midfield, while set-piece wizard James Ward-Prowse has been an excellent addition to the squad. Jarrod Bowen has just signed a seven-year deal, and the England international scored his 100th senior goal in that defeat at Villa Park.

Mohamed Kudus is an eye-catching addition, and it does feel as if Moyes does have the squad to not only win this group, but also to make a real impression in the knockout rounds. After all, WHUFC reached the semi-finals of the Europa League two seasons ago, and won the Europa Conference League last term.

Polish veteran Lukasz Fabianski should return in goal, while Kudus is likely to start. Said Benrahma and Pablo Fornals are pushing for starts, and there could be a defensive reshuffle, with Konstantinos Mavropanos given another chance to shine.

Hammers can gain positive result

Olympiakos were beaten 3-2 at home by Freiburg on Matchday One, and then they drew 2-2 at Backa Topola, blowing a 2-0 lead in the process. They aren't the Olympiakos of a few seasons ago, and Piraeus isn't quite as fearsome an away trip as it once was, at least on the pitch.

West Ham games have been full of goals (nine of their 12 competitive games have seen an Over 2.5 Goals bet land) , and I think this will be no exception. I'll use the Sportsbook's Bet Builder to back West Ham/Draw and Over 2.5 Goals at 2.3411/8.

Kudos to Kudus

I backed Mohammed Kudus to score at fairly big odds on Matchday Two, and even though it didn't land, I'm happy to try again at 23/103.30. The Ghanaian scored a late leveller against Newcastle recently in the Premier League, and also fired in a double against Backa Topola.