Partizan Belgrade
vs
Olympiacos FC
Kick-off
18:45 GMT
25 July 2017
The 2017/18 season is just around the corner for most European leagues and with the new season comes the return of the UEFA Champions League and some of the teams are still yet to be confirmed. One of the ties of the third qualifying round is between Partizan and Olympiacos and in the first leg, Olympiacos make the trip from Greece to Serbia before the roles reverse next week. Partizan won the Serbian Superliga to qualify whilst Olympiacos also won their domestic league.
The two sides have never met in European competition and with two leagues who don’t have too many continental representatives, it is hard to find comparisons. They are both big clubs in their respective countries and have experience in Europe but it is Olympiacos who have gone the furthest as they reached the quarter-finals back in 1999.
It is vital for Partizan, as the home side, to gain an advantage in the first leg to give them the best chance of progression to the group stage. Without any notable absences, they have the best possible chance of going through but it will a very tough task. Latest matches: Partizan Belgrade
22.07.2017
Supe
Partizan Belgrade
Macva Sabac
6:1
W
18.07.2017
UEFA
FK Buducnost
Partizan Belgrade
0:0
D
11.07.2017
UEFA
Partizan Belgrade
FK Buducnost
2:0
W
04.07.2017
Club
Partizan Belgrade
FC Ural Yekaterinburg
1:0
W
01.07.2017
Club
Partizan Belgrade
CSKA Moscow
0:3
L
With the second leg on their own turf, Olympiacos need to make sure they avoid defeat as a loss in the first leg could kill them psychologically. They also have no players absent for the game as they have had an extended pre-season.
Latest matches: Olympiacos FC
15.07.2017 | ![]() |
Sporting Lokeren | Olympiacos FC | 0:0 | D |
08.07.2017 | ![]() |
Yellow-Red KV Mechelen | Olympiacos FC | 0:6 | W |
02.07.2017 | ![]() |
Panionios Athens | Olympiacos FC | 2:1 | L |
26.06.2017 | ![]() |
Olympiacos FC | Ludogorets Razgrad | 1:1 | D |
23.06.2017 | ![]() |
Olympiacos FC | WSG Wattens | 2:0 | W |
Due to their stronger team and having more experience of big games, Olympiacos are the favourites to win the tie as a whole but with them playing away in the first leg, they won’t be expected to win on Wednesday night. A draw is probably the most likely outcome in the first leg but it would be a surprise for Olympiacos not to make their way into the group stage. Both teams will keep their cards close to their chest in the first leg as they hope to give nothing away to their opponents.
25 July 2017 - 18:45 GMT
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