David Moyes' tumultuous first season in charge of Manchester United could use an extended run in the Champions League knockout stages to help distract fans from the team's poor league form. They'll attempt to begin that run with a trip to Greece to face Olympiakos.
Olympiakos vs. Manchester United: Preview and TV schedule
Manchester United’s league season has been a struggle, but they can take the first step towards the Champions League quarterfinal with a victory in Greece on Tuesday.
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Moyes has most of his first choice players available though his defense continues to be disrupted by injuries with both Phil Jones and Jonny Evans out. Rafael and Danny Welbeck are both fit and available for selection after missing several games, which should provide a boost. United went undefeated in group stage play, winning Group A by four points over Bayer Leverkusen.
Olympiakos squeezed past Benfica in Group C to make the Round of 16 and now Michel and his team will look to make the most of their opportunity. With leading scorer Konstantinos Mitroglou sold to Fulham in January and Javier Saviola injured, the task of leading the attack will fall Marko Šćepović who came on for the injured Saviola against OFI Crete on Saturday and scored his first professional hat trick.
Olympiakos injuries and suspensions
Out: Javier Saviola (thigh). In doubt: Nelson Valdez (ankle).
Manchester United injuries and suspensions
Out: Juan Mata (ineligible), Phil Jones (calf), Jonny Evans (concussion).
United will be without the cup tied Juan Mata as well as Phil Jones and Jonny Evans, both of whom did not make the trip to Greece. Javier Saviola will miss out for Olympiakos after injuring his thigh over the weekend.
Projected lineups
Olympiakos: Roberto, Anastasios Papazoglou, Avaraam Papadopoulos, Iván Marcano, Gaëtan Bong, Delvin N'Dinga, Giannis Maniatis, Michael Olaitan, Alejandro Domínguez, Hernán Pérez, Marko Šćepović
Manchester United: David de Gea, Chris Smalling, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidić, Patrice Evra, Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini, Antonio Valencia, Wayne Rooney, XX, Robin Van Persie
Match Date/Time: 9:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Stadio Georgios Karaiskáki, Piraeus, Greece
TV: FOX Sports 1, FOX Deportes (U.S.), ITV 1 (U.K.), Sportsnet (Canada)
Online: FOX Soccer 2Go (U.S.)
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