PREVIEW: Real Madrid eye away win over Olympiacos as qualification push heats up | OneFootball

The heavyweights of the UEFA Champions League, Real Madrid, travel to Greece looking to beat Olympiacos away from home for the first time, with automatic qualification still firmly in sight.

Los Blancos sit seventh in the league phase but could climb as high as second with a win and favourable results elsewhere.

Olympiacos have endured a difficult start to the campaign, collecting just two draws and two defeats from their opening four fixtures. That run leaves them 31st in the table with no realistic route into the knockout play-offs.

Under José Luis Mendilibar, they have drawn with FC Pafos and PSV Eindhoven, while their losses have come against European giants Arsenal and Barcelona – a tough run in which they showed spirit, particularly against Barça.

Despite their struggles in Europe, Olympiacos have won four of their last five matches in all competitions and remain unbeaten at home this season. History is also on their side – they have never lost at home to the 15-time Champions League winners.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, sit ninth in the Champions League standings but could surge up the table with victory. Xabi Alonso’s side made a blistering start to the season but have not won since a 4-0 triumph over Valencia in early November. Two league draws and a defeat to Liverpool in Europe have increased the pressure to deliver a response.

Domestically, Madrid remain top of La Liga, though their lead over Barcelona has been cut to just one point following draws with Elche and Rayo Vallecano.

Olympiacos will again be without Alexandros Paschalakis and Konstantinos Angelakis through injury. Real Madrid are missing Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão and Franco Mastantuoni, all sidelined long-term, while Antonio Rüdiger, Aurélien Tchouaméni and David Alaba will be assessed ahead of the match. Vinícius Júnior, Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga could return after being left out of the draw at Elche.

Predicted Line-Ups

OLY: Tzolakis; Rodinei, Pirola, Ortega; Garcia, Mouzakitis; Martins, Chiquinho, Podence; El Kaabi