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Olympiacos
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Sep 18, 2012 at 7.45pm UK
 
Schalke

1-2

Preview: Olympiakos vs. Schalke 04

Sports Mole previews the Champions League Group B clash between Olympiakos and Schalke O4.

Olympiakos begin their Champions League campaign against Schalke 04 on Tuesday, with both sides enjoying unbeaten starts to their respective domestic seasons.

Olympiakos faced German opposition in the group stages of the competition last season, emerging as 3-1 winners against Borussia Dortmund in Athens. Meanwhile, the history points to an open game in Greece, with Olympiakos' last six home fixtures against German clubs throwing up 29 goals.

Tuesday's match will be Schalke's 150th game in European competition, with their last success coming in the 1997 UEFA Cup. They will need to improve their recent record to claim the three points, however, as they have failed to score on matchday one in their last four European campaigns.

The home side enter the match with an almost fully-fit squad to choose from, with Avraam Papadopoulos their only notable absentee. Meanwhile, Giannis Maniatis and Vasilis Torosidis should both return to the starting side.

Schalke, meanwhile, are expected to remain unchanged from their 2-0 win over Greuther Furth at the weekend. Skipper Benedikt Howedes will continue at right-back, while Lewis Holtby is expected to operate behind Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

Recent form:

Olympiakos: WWWLD
Schalke: WWDWD

Possible lineups:

Olympiakos: Carroll; Torosidis, Papazoglou, Siovas, Holebas; Modesto; Abdoun, Maniatis, Fuster, Machado; Djebbour

Schalke: Unnerstall; Howedes, Papadopoulos, Matip, Fuchs; Jones, Neustadter; Farfan, Holtby, Draxler; Huntelaar.

Sports Mole says: 1-2


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