[Europa League] Olympiakos +0.5 [-124]
Interesting set-up here against Rubin Kazan. Due to inclement weather, the Russians will be playing away from their true home. The match will be played at the Luzhniki in Moscow, scene of a disastrous 2-0 loss to Twente for Rubin Kazan last year in this competition. A little history repeating? Could happen. Olympiakos are in a solid run of form in their domestic league with four straight wins, while RK are still in their Winter Break in Russia. That means their prep for this match have come only via friendlies/Marbella Cup. That is not ideal, but it is what it is for them. Olympiakos should also be buoyed by winning their last Champions League road match against Marseilles last November, breaking a string of mostly poor results in Europe for the club. If this were a true home match for Rubin, there'd be little point going against them. However, with this match in Moscow, there will not be a true home advantage. I think Olympiakos can get at least a draw here and would be happy to head to the second leg all even one would think.
[Champions League] Bayer Leverkusen-Barcelona: Both Teams to Score [-125]
Leverkusen rarely keeps clean sheets in Champions League action. Saw a stat, they have six in 42 all-time matches. Given that plus Barca's possession game, I would expect that Messi & Company will net one if not more. Leverkusen almost always score at home in the CL as well, just once in 27 matches have they failed to score a goal. They scored two goals in each of their group matches last year & conceded in two of three, while Barca did the same on the road in three matches.
Interesting set-up here against Rubin Kazan. Due to inclement weather, the Russians will be playing away from their true home. The match will be played at the Luzhniki in Moscow, scene of a disastrous 2-0 loss to Twente for Rubin Kazan last year in this competition. A little history repeating? Could happen. Olympiakos are in a solid run of form in their domestic league with four straight wins, while RK are still in their Winter Break in Russia. That means their prep for this match have come only via friendlies/Marbella Cup. That is not ideal, but it is what it is for them. Olympiakos should also be buoyed by winning their last Champions League road match against Marseilles last November, breaking a string of mostly poor results in Europe for the club. If this were a true home match for Rubin, there'd be little point going against them. However, with this match in Moscow, there will not be a true home advantage. I think Olympiakos can get at least a draw here and would be happy to head to the second leg all even one would think.
[Champions League] Bayer Leverkusen-Barcelona: Both Teams to Score [-125]
Leverkusen rarely keeps clean sheets in Champions League action. Saw a stat, they have six in 42 all-time matches. Given that plus Barca's possession game, I would expect that Messi & Company will net one if not more. Leverkusen almost always score at home in the CL as well, just once in 27 matches have they failed to score a goal. They scored two goals in each of their group matches last year & conceded in two of three, while Barca did the same on the road in three matches.
