The most even Champions League group heading into the third matchday is Group A, with Atlético Madrid, Juventus, Malmö and Olympiacos all tied on three points. Italian champions Juventus are favourites to move to the top of the group with a win away against Olympiacos on Wednesday, though they certainly shouldn't expect an easy game. That Atlético Madrid have been beaten in Athens already illustrates that the Greek champions are a very strong outfit.
Olympiacos vs. Juventus, 2014 UEFA Champions League: Team news and game preview
Juventus are favourites to beat Olympiacos on Tuesday, but it certainly won’t be an easy game.
What's more, Juve come into this game on the back of a pretty disappointing result in Serie A on the weekend, when they dropped league points for the first time this season away at struggling Sassuolo. They are still a point clear of AS Roma at the top of the Serie A table, but they're certainly not infallible.
Key player - Paul Pogba (Juventus)
Juve’s Paul Pogba has continued to establish his credentials as one of the finest young midfielders on the planet, and netted a wonderful goal in the draw against Sassuolo on the weekend. Capable of brushing opponents off the ball with ease, he’s a brilliant asset both in and out of possession. Olympiacos will have to try and find a way to stop him dominating this match.
Key matchup - Ibrahim Afellay vs. Stephan Lichtsteiner
Dutch winger Ibrahim Afellay once looked a fantastic prospect, though never managed to make a breakthrough into the first team at Barcelona, and has subsequently spent time on loan at both Schalke and Olympiacos. Now 28 years old, it’s high time he really showed what he can do. In this match, he’ll be up against wing-back Stephan Lichtsteiner, and will no doubt be a key counter-attacking outlet for the Greeks.
Olympiacos injuries and suspensions
Out: None. In doubt: Jorge Benítez, Dimitris Siovas (thigh).
Juventus injuries and suspensions
Out: Andrea Barzagli (heel), Martín Cáceres (thigh), Rômulo (groin). In doubt: Fernando Llorente (back).
Olympiacos could be without both Jorge Benítez and Dimitris Siovas, but they have no major injury problems heading into this match. Juventus, meanwhile, will be without centre-backs Andrea Barzagli and Martín Cáceres, midfielder Rômulo, and likely without striker Fernando Llorente.
Match Date/Time: Wednesday, 9:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis, Piraeus, Greece
TV: Fox Sports regional networks (U.S.), Sportsnet World (Canada), Sky Sports Red Button (U.K.), Neritan HD, NERITsports, Nova Sports 1, NERIT1 (Greece), Canale 5 (Italy)
Online: Fox Soccer 2Go (U.S.), Sportsnet World Now (Canada), Neritan Live Streaming (Greece)
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