Prediction: Arsenal vs Olympiacos

Verdict: Total home goals over 2.5

Best odds: 17/20

Bookmaker: 888sport

Two sides who both netted 96th-minute winners at the weekend face off in midweek, as Arsenal welcome Olympiacos to the Emirates on Wednesday night for their second Champions League fixture of the campaign.

The Gunners began their league-phase journey with a 2-0 success at Athletic Bilbao, while the Greek champions were left frustrated by a stalemate against debutants Pafos.

Arsenal

Impact from the bench has been a recurring theme for Arsenal in recent weeks, with substitutes repeatedly changing the course of matches. In four successive games across all competitions, Mikel Arteta’s late introductions have made the difference.

It started in Spain a fortnight ago, when Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli combined to decisive effect after a tense hour in Bilbao. The pair repeated their trick against Manchester City and Port Vale, before Mikel Merino and Gabriel Magalhaes produced the goals in Sunday’s dramatic 2-1 turnaround at Newcastle United.

Capitalising on slip-ups from Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham, Arsenal climbed closer to the top of the Premier League, ending a long hoodoo at St James’ Park and leaving themselves within two points of the leaders. That win may yet prove crucial come the business end of the season.

European form offers further encouragement. Arsenal have triumphed in their last 13 home matches at this stage of continental competition, 10 of them without conceding, and will be confident of extending that run in North London.

Team News

Captain Martin Odegaard returned from injury at the weekend and immediately made his mark, setting up the winner. His comeback leaves only four names on the treatment table.

Long-term absentees Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus remain sidelined with knee problems, while Piero Hincapie’s groin issue persists. At the back, Cristhian Mosquera endured a torrid afternoon against Newcastle and may lose his place to William Saliba, who is ready to return.

Olympiacos

The statistics surrounding Olympiacos’ European record make grim reading. Matchday one saw them fail to break down a depleted Pafos side, who had lost a man to a red card and a veteran to injury inside the opening half-hour. Despite dominating possession and racking up 18 attempts, the hosts had to settle for a point.

That draw added to a long-standing problem on the continent. Olympiacos have just two victories from their last 21 league-phase fixtures in the Champions League and have lost 10 successive away matches at this stage. Their last triumph on the road dates back to 2015, against Dinamo Zagreb.

Domestically, however, Mendilibar’s men are setting the pace. A last-gasp Chiquinho strike secured a 3-2 win over Levadiakos on Saturday, keeping them level on points with AEK Athens at the Super League summit.

History does at least provide a glimmer of optimism. Olympiacos have won half of their previous meetings with Arsenal, including an unlikely streak of three straight victories at the Emirates.

Team News

Injuries to striker Roman Yaremchuk and youngster Lorenzo Scipioni limit the visitors’ options, while neither Remy Cabella nor Yusuf Yazici are eligible after being omitted from the squad list.

Chiquinho’s brace at the weekend guarantees him the central creative role, supported on the left by ex-Wolves man Daniel Podence. Elsewhere, the spine of Mendilibar’s preferred XI should remain intact.

Conclusion

Olympiacos’ remarkable recent record in North London may give them hope, but their European away form paints a very different picture.

Against an Arsenal side boasting one of the most miserly defences on the continent and a bench brimming with match-winners, the visitors’ resistance is unlikely to last. Arteta’s men should have the quality to make it two wins from two in the Champions League.

Verdict: Total home goals over 2.5

Best odds: 17/20

Bookmaker: 888sport