After sealing a commanding 5-0 victory over Kalamata in their last match in the Stoiximan Super League, Greek Cup action is next for Olympiacos as they travel to Markopoulo Mesogeas to face Marko 1927 F.C.

Jota Silva stood out as the hero for Olympiacos in their previous outing, as his hat-trick scored in under nine minutes thrashed the Kalamata structure, which held on for most of the first half. The Portuguese international became Olympiacos' first hat-trick scorer in the league since Ayoub El Kaabi's one against AEK Athens in a 4-1 win on November 24, 2024. At the same time, he also emerged as the second-fastest hat-trick scorer in the Red and Whites' history after Peter Ofori-Quaye netted thrice against Ethnikos Asteras back in 2002 in under six minutes. 

The 5-0 scoreline against Kalamata also saw new signings Leon Bailey and Marius Mouandilmadji open their goalscoring accounts for the club. The three points from the match took Olympiacos' total league points tally to 19, just two shy of league leaders and eternal rivals Panathinaikos, whom they have already beaten earlier this season. 

Thrylos have a thick run of fixtures coming up through three different competitions in the next few days. Following the clash against Marko in the Greek Cup, they will face Kifisia in Matchday 9 of the Super League Greece, and then they will travel to the French city of Rennes for an UEFA Europa League game against Stade Rennais. Fans can expect head coach Imanol Alguacil to shake up the squad and provide a start to players, who have not featured in the last few clashes. 

Meanwhile, Marko 1927 F.C. approach this match on the back of a 4-0 thrashing of Panionios in the Greek second division. Ivan Muller opened the scoring for the visitors in the 36th-minute before Youssef El-Arabi doubled their lead through a penalty strike. Former Kalamata man Charalampos Pavlidis scored the third while Seba netted from the spot to help his side take home the three points from the contest. 

The victory over Panionios ensured Marko unlock a five-point lead at the top of the Super League 2 table with Athens Kallithea following them in second place. It was also their third straight clean sheet, a run which began at the beginning of October with a 1-0 win over AEL. 

Midfielder Nemanja Milojevic remains the only absentee from the Marko squad for the match. All other players are fit to feature against Olympiacos, as head coach Soulis Papadopoulos is expected to name a strong starting eleven to avoid an early rout. 

As for the visitors, Yusuf Yazici and Ayoub El Kaabi are the confirmed absentees with long-term injuries. Roman Yaremchuk could get a start over Armando 'Hormiga' Gonzalez, as the Mexican is set to be protected for the next match and European competition.

Olympiacos are the clear favourites, especially after their recent run of results. We predict Olympiacos to score thrice, keeping Marko at bay. Predicted result: Olympiacos 3-0 Marko.