Maccabi Haifa vs Olympiacos FC Preview 20/07/2022

Maccabi Haifa vs Olympiacos FC – 20/07/2022

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Israel champions Maccabi Haifa will host Greek Tremendous League champions Olympiacos on Wednesday within the Champions League second qualifying spherical. The primary leg can be performed in at Haifa’s Sammy Ofer Stadium.

Neither of those groups have began their home campaigns, though Maccabi Haifa are coming off of a loss within the Israeli Tremendous Cup. Maccabi Haifa drew 1-1 on the finish of 90 minutes with Hapoel however misplaced 4-3 on penalties.

Health could possibly be missing between these sides once they meet. Maccabi Haifa might have performed a match already, however they’re nonetheless progressing by means of the preseason towards defending their title in Israel.

Olympiacos didn’t get previous the Champions League qualifiers final season. They reached the third qualifying spherical earlier than being dumped out by Ludogorets.

Supervisor Pedro Martins has a powerful squad heading into the primary leg. On paper, Olympiacos are the stronger aspect and throughout the offseason, the Greek Tremendous League aspect have introduced in additional gamers to strengthen the squad.

Former Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid full-back Sime Vrsaljko has joined Olympiacos on a free switch. He can be in line to make his debut for the membership. Proper wing Philip Zinckernagel has arrived from Watford in very sensible transfer by Olympiacos. He too may begin.

Martins has additionally signed centre-forward Aboubaker Kamara to go together with incumbent attacker Youssef El Arabi. El Arabi scored 19 targets mixed within the Europa League and Tremendous League final season.

Maccabi Haifa have been lively within the switch market as effectively. Their large signing is Frantzdy Pierrot, who has arrived from France’s Guingamp this summer season.

The workforce’s new No. 9 scored 15 targets in 36 Ligue 2 matches final season. He ought to present loads of targets this time period. Supervisor Barak Bakhar is prone to get Pierrot time on the pitch to get targets versus Olympiacos.

Bakhar will possible be with out ahead Ben Sahar resulting from harm, which may give Pierrot the possibility to begin. Proper-back Raz Meir can also be a doubt to make the squad resulting from an harm.

Martins, however, could also be with no host of key gamers resulting from not being eligible to play for the membership in the intervening time. A number of gamers received’t be in line to play for Olympiacos till the top of the month.

It will be sizzling in Haifa on Wednesday with highs of 30 forecasted. The heatwave sweeping throughout Europe may play havoc with the gamers.

Wednesday’s second qualifying spherical match ought to end in a 1-1 draw with neither aspect in a position to get the higher hand ultimately.