Preview: Olympiacos vs. Ferencvaros - prediction, team news, lineups

Olympiacos and Ferencvaros meet in the first leg of their Europa Conference League playoff tie on Thursday evening.

While the Greek side finished third in their Europa League group, their Hungarian opponents had to make do with second spot in their Europa Conference League equivalent.

Match preview

© Reuters

There have been times in Olmypiacos' history when they have not been short of a managerial change, and that is currently the case with Carlos Carvalhal having been removed from his position after just 11 matches.

Winning five and drawing three of his opening 10 games would have been deemed acceptable, yet a 2-0 reverse to Panathinaikos led to another change in direction.

Thrashing OFI by a 4-0 scoreline on Saturday has at least kept Olympiacos in fourth position in the Greece top flight and within five points of third.

Nevertheless, newly-appointed boss Jose Luis Mendilibar - formerly of Sevilla - is under no illusions that he needs to hit the ground running in his new role.

Olympiacos are competing in this competition courtesy of finishing adrift of West Ham United and Freiburg in their Europa League group before Christmas.

Meanwhile, Ferencvaros more than did themselves justice in a Europa Conference League group containing Fiorentina and Genk, coming through without losing a game.

A return of two wins and four draws left the Hungarian giants two points behind Fiorentina - last season's runners-up - and crucially one ahead of Genk.

Dejan Stankovic's side have warmed up for this double-header by recording three victories in succession in domestic action, scoring 10 goals in the process.

That has been enough to keep Ferencvaros within one point of first place in the top flight, yet they did not keep a clean sheet in any of the aforementioned wins.

Team News

© Reuters

While Olympiacos made widespread changes in January, only three fresh faces could come into the European squad, with David Carmo, Chiquinho and Andre Horta the trio to get the nod.

While Horta will be on the substitutes' bench at best, Carmo and Chiquinho should both start in a starting lineup that will largely stay the same from the weekend.

Daniel Podence will hope to remain in the team despite being withdrawn at half time against OFI.

If an alteration is made to the Ferencvaros XI, it will likely see Henry Wingo come in to replace Cebrail Makreckis at right-back.

Muhamed Besic is an option in the middle of the pitch, but the experienced Bosnia-Herzegovina international has not started since December.

Olympiacos possible starting lineup: Paschalakis; Rodinei, Biancone, Carmo, Ortega; Chiquinho, Hezze; Masouras, Fortounis, Podence; El Kaabi

Ferencvaros possible starting lineup: Dibusz; Wingo, Mmaee, Cisse, Ramirez; Loncar, Maiga, Abu Fani; Zachariassen, Varga, Marquinhos

We say: Olympiacos 2-1 Ferencvaros

With Olympiacos without a permanent manager, Ferencvaros will sense an opportunity to cause a surprise in Greece. Nevertheless, this remains a quality side on the back of their January transfer business, leading us to predict a hard-earned home victory.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.