Olympiacos’ big win in Marseille (0-1) has significantly boosted its chances of finishing in the top eight of the Europa League standings, which would send the team directly to the Round of 16 without having to play a qualifying round.
According to Football Meets Data, the “Red-and-Whites” are projected to reach approximately 15.8 points (they already have 6) in the group stage, which would place them eighth and give them a 54.4% chance of advancing directly to the “Round of 16,” while they are considered virtually certain to advance to the knockout stage, as they are estimated to be among the top 24 in the standings with a 98.3% probability. In fact, Olympiacos saw the biggest jump in odds compared to the first matchday, as its victory at the “Velodrome” increased its chances by 20.8%.
As for OFI, which faltered in the final minutes against Rennes (2-1), they are just outside the top 24, sitting in 26th place with an estimated 8 points and a 37.9% chance of making the playoffs. The Heraklion-based team has just a 1.2% chance of making the Top 8 and advancing directly to the “Round of 16.”
The favorites to make the top eight, in order, are Benfica, Leverkusen, Juventus, Bournemouth, Sunderland, Lyon, Besiktas, and Olympiacos.
*Source of main photo: KYPE
