Preview: Olympiacos vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv - prediction, team news, lineups

Jose Luis Mendilibar is still in his first month on the job since replacing Carlos Carvalhal in mid-February, and the Spaniard hopes to extend his winning run against the Israeli side.

Match preview

Last season at Sevilla was typified by Mendilibar's appointment inspiring the Andalusians into surmounting obstacles en route to another Europa League title.

Despite the different environment this term, Olympiacos hope the Spanish boss has a similar effect in Piraeus, as the Greek side aim to progress beyond the competition's last 16 this year.

Having never gone beyond the last eight of any leading European tournament, Olympiacos aim for a positive result in the first game of the round of 16, hoping to match their best continental showing.

With the Champions League providing opponents of higher standing and the Cup Winners' Cup now defunct, the Greek giants could go deep in this year's Europa Conference League, an ambition that should motivate Mendilibar.

The Spaniard navigated a doubleheader in the playoff round against Ferencvaros, claiming a pair of 1-0 wins, and the 62-year-old aims to extend his winning start to life in Piraeus to seven straight victories.

It remains to be seen if Maccabi put up any resistance in both games, but supporters of the Israeli side should point to an impressive group stage that saw them claim wins in five of their six Group B matches, finishing on 15 points — only three group winners had more.

Robbie Keane is in charge of the Yellows, whose impressive group stage counts for little if they are eliminated early by the Greek side over the next two games.

Maccabi have overcome a wobble at the start of February in which they picked up one point from an available six in the Israeli Premier League to win four straight games in all competitions, including a 4-0 success against Maccabi Petach Tikva over the weekend, standing them in good stead before Thursday's Conference League round of 16 first leg.

The Tel Aviv club did not go past the playoff round in 2021-22, meaning they have already outdone their performance from two seasons ago, but they aim to make it to the last eight in Europe's third-tier competition.

While a positive result in Greece undoubtedly puts Keane's men in a strong position, it is easier said than done to secure an acceptable outcome in Piraeus.

Olympiacos Europa Conference League form:

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Maccabi Tel Aviv Europa Conference League form:

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Maccabi Tel Aviv form (all competitions):

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Team News

Ayoub El Kaabi has netted in his last seven appearances for Olympiacos, and the Moroccan should lead the attack against Maccabi.

Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Daniel Podence's trickery and ability to create something from nothing gives the Greek side an added threat in the attacking third.

Milson may not have scored or assisted in the Conference League group stage, but the forward scoring in his last three appearances for the Tel Aviv side gives the Angolan momentum heading into Thursday's game in Greece.

Yonas Malede was uninvolved for Keane's men at the weekend, having gone off injured in the first-half of a 1-0 victory over Hapoel Be'er Sheva on February 24, pointing to the forward's continued absence this week.

Olympiacos possible starting lineup:

Paschalakis; Rodinei, Abbey, Restos, Ortega; Chiquinho, Hezze, Horta; Masouras, El Kaabi, Podence

Maccabi Tel Aviv possible starting lineup:

Mashpati; Shahar, Nachmias, Balataxa, Revivo; Peretz, Van Overeem, Kanikovski; Davida, Zahavi, Milson

We say: Olympiacos 3-1 Maccabi Tel Aviv

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