- 1 Olympiakos vs NEC: A brutal European introduction for the Dutch in Piraeus
- 2 Olympiakos looking for answers
- 3 NEC Nijmegen staying true to their attacking instinct
- 4 Predicted lineups:
- 5 Champions League prediction: Olympiakos vs NEC
- 6 First, a word on our predictions
- 7 No commitment from us
- 8 Information can change
- 9 Your role
- 10 Responsible gambling first
- 11 Legal age
- 12 About the visuals
Olympiakos vs NEC: A brutal European introduction for the Dutch in Piraeus 
It is at the iconic Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium that Olympiakos host NEC Nijmegen on Tuesday, in the first leg of the Champions League third qualifying round. A key night for two sides desperate to kick off their season on a positive note after rather messy pre-season campaigns.
The Greeks are chasing a place in the league phase to back up their continental standing, while the Dutch are about to make history with their first ever appearance at this level. Between the home side’s European know-how and the visitors’ attacking verve, this one looks set to throw up plenty of twists.
Olympiakos looking for answers 
Summer preparations have not exactly gone to plan for Jose Luis Mendilibar’s men. After promising starts marked by wins over Rakow and Fortuna Sittard, the wheels came off. The Piraeus club are on a run of three straight defeats against European-calibre opposition: Ajax, Royal Antwerp and AZ Alkmaar.
More worrying still, the Greek defence failed to keep a single clean sheet in those friendlies. There was at least some good news at the attacking end in the final match in late August. Despite losing 3-2 to AZ, Olympiakos finally ended a 180-minute spell without a goal.
Backed by their strong continental run last season, the Red and Whites want another shot at the league phase and a second straight appearance in Europe’s top competition, which would be a first in almost a decade.
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NEC Nijmegen staying true to their attacking instinct 
For NEC, simply being here is already a win. After the best season in their history, finishing third in the Eredivisie last year, the Dutch side are getting their first taste of Champions League qualifying. That said, their current form leaves plenty to be desired.
With just two wins from seven pre-season games and recent defeats against Elversberg and Sevilla, Dick Schreuder’s side are struggling to find any rhythm. One thing has not changed, though: their all-out attacking mindset.
As last season, when they scored 77 league goals, second only to PSV, Nijmegen know how to put on a show. They have scored in almost every summer outing, but have also conceded in every game. That all-or-nothing approach points to a very open contest against Olympiakos.
Predicted lineups:
Olympiakos: Popovic; Saliakas, Retsos, Pirola, Ortega; Scipioni, Garcia; Rodinei, Chiquinho, Martins; El Kaabi.
NEC Nijmegen: Crettaz; Pereira, Sandler, Fonville; Ouaissa, Sano, Nejasmic, Lebreton; Chery, Tadic; Linssen.
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Champions League prediction: Olympiakos vs NEC
Olympiakos to win
Both sides come into this one short on confidence after some awkward pre-season results, but Olympiakos’ European experience should tip the balance.
In the usually cracking atmosphere at Georgios Karaiskakis, the Greeks should have enough to break down a Dutch side that carries plenty of threat going forward but looks far too soft at the back. This is a baptism of fire for NEC against a home team used to handling the pressure of knockout football.
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