Olympiacos vs West Ham Prediction: 8/5/2024

West Ham is eyeing their third consecutive victory in their Europa League journey as they face Olympiacos this Thursday.

The team, coached by David Moyes, started their Group A challenge with a 3-1 victory over Backa Topola at the London Stadium, where Mohammed Kudus scored twice. They continued their strong form with an away win against Freiburg, putting them in a favorable position to advance to the knockout stages.

A win against Olympiacos, who have only secured a single point from their two games, would solidify West Ham’s lead in the group. Despite dominating the Greek Super League with six wins from seven games, Olympiacos’s form hasn’t quite translated to European competitions. They let a two-goal lead slip in a 2-2 draw against Backa Topola last time.

Odds makers favor West Ham to win, but the match in Greece won’t be straightforward for Moyes’s squad.

The possibility of a high-scoring affair at Karaiskakis Stadium is high, considering all four Group A matches have seen both teams score. Olympiacos, with four goals in two matches, will be eager to improve on their one point tally.

However, Olympiacos’s defensive vulnerabilities could be exploited by West Ham, who need to shake off their own defensive issues after conceding six goals in their last two Premier League games.

The recent suspension of Olympiacos’s game against Panathinaikos means they haven’t played a full match since their draw with Backa Topola, possibly leading to some initial rustiness that West Ham could capitalize on.

Given the defensive weaknesses of both teams, a prediction that both teams will score seems plausible, with odds at 13/20 according to BetMGM.

Player Spotlight – Mohammed Kudus:
Despite limited opportunities since his transfer from Ajax, Kudus has made significant contributions, including two goals against Backa Topola and a crucial late goal in a 2-2 draw against Newcastle. His ability to make decisive plays could be vital for West Ham’s success in Europe.

Betting on Corners:
Considering West Ham’s strength in set-pieces and their average of 13 corners per match, a high corner count is likely. Olympiacos also averages 5.5 corners per game, including eight in their loss to Freiburg. This suggests active play around the boxes, supporting a bet of over 9.5 corners at 23/25 with Unibet.

This matchup promises to be engaging, with both teams having strengths that could lead to an eventful game.