Chelsea vs Olympiacos Champions League: Preview and Live Score

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Chelsea vs Olympiacos: Live Score and Updates

Chelsea hosts Greek champions Olympiacos CFP in the return leg match of last 16 round of Champions League on 5 March 2008. The first leg match was ended up with a goal less draw at the Karaiskakis Stadium. So, both teams have equal chance to make it to the next round by winning the second leg match. The match takes place at Stamford Bridge stadium. So, Chelsea will have home advantage in the match. However, Olympiacos also has some advantages in the match. Any draw except a goal less draw will take Olympiacos to the next round because of the away goal advantage. So, Chelsea must have to win the match to make it to the next round.

Match: Chelsea vs Olympiacos, Second Leg of Round of 16, Champions League

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Date: 5 March 2008, Wednesday

Time: 19:45 GMT

Chelsea has not been in an imperious form so far this season. They are still in the title race with 58 points, seven points behind the leaders Arsenal with a match at hand. So, they are still in the title race along with Arsenal and Manchester United. Though they failed to win the Carling Cup title being defeated to Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in the final, Chelsea is active in other domestic and international competitions.

Olympiacos is also active in the domestic league of Greece with only a point behind the leaders Panathinaikos. They are the current champions of the league and have lost only a match of the league so far this season. You can not argue on their impressive form this season. In fact, Olympiacos CFP has been dominating the domestic league for the last ten years. They won nine domestic league titles in the last ten years. So, it is certain that Chelsea will find it very difficult to outclass the Greek side, even though they are getting Olympiacos at their home ground.

Chelsea seems to be favorite for the match if you take their recent performance in to account. The Blues have smashed a 4-0 victory over West Ham United. With this victory, Chelsea has bounced back in style from their Carling Cup final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. On the other hand, Olympiacos came up with a 1-1 draw with Asteras Tripolis recently in a league encounter. It is true that they were beaten by Asteras Tripolis in the first half of the league. So, from that point of view the draw can be taken positively.

Chelsea seems to be very strong ahead of the Champions league clash with Olympiacos. Chelsea does not have any major injury blow. So, manager Avram Grant could have the full strength squad. However, the reality is that Grant is most probably missing the midfielder Frank Lampard as he was sent off during the match against West Ham United. Lampard was shown red card after assistant referee accused him of hitting on the face of Luís Boa Morte while they are trying to get the control of the goal. However, Chelsea manager said that referee closer to incident than assistant referee. The video replay shows that Lampard touched the opponent player in his chest. It is reported that this kind of offense only deserves a yellow card. So, Chelsea has appealed to FA against the red card shown to Lampard. It will be heard on Tuesday.

Goal.com reported:

“I didn’t see it and I have no problem with the referee, only the assistant,” Grant said.

“The referee was closer to the incident than the assistant referee, but the assistant was 20 metres away. The referee said clearly that Lampard touched the face of Boa Morte. If he did then it’s a red card and if not then it’s not a red card.”

Now, with the benefit of video analysis, Chelsea are reportedly certain that Lampard pushed his opponent in the chest during the 33rd minute incident. Such an action is generally accepted as a yellow card offence.

So, it is almost certain that Lampard will miss the match against Olympiacos. Now, the Greek champion has an injury blow as their striker Lomana LuaLua has suffered a shoulder injury. He will remain sidelined for six week. It has come as a big blow for Olympiacos.

Sky Sports reported:

Lua Lua sat out the first leg of Olympiacos' UEFA Champions League tie with Chelsea due to a foot injury.

But news of Lua Lua's injury will come as a major blow to supporters of the Greek champions.

"The player's left shoulder has been put in a special cast and he will be re-examined on Monday before we decide on what treatment will follow," said Olympiacos in a statement.

Chelsea vs Olympiacos Champions League: Online Live Score

Those who will not be able to watch the match on television due to personal and professional works can get the online live score and updates of the match from the following online live score websites:

Live Score

Goalzz

Footie Scorez

Sportpress

Goal.com

Chelsea and Olympiacos both have a balanced squad. Chelsea has home advantage, while Olympiacos has the advantage over their first leg result because they did not concede any goal in the home leg match. However, Chelsea has an excellent home record and it will be very tough for Olympiacos to win a place in the next round of Champions league. It is also true that Olympiacos projected two away victories in the group stage against Lazio and Werder Bremen and drew at Real Madrid. So, the match seems to be full of excitement.