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Here we can expect a tough and physically demanding game in heated atmosphere of Piraeus whre it is never easy for away teams. Viktor Kassai, experienced Hungarian, will be the referee, and he is easy on the cards. In the last 10 games he gave 63 yellow cards and 4 red. As far as Europa League and Champions League are concerned, in his last game he gave out 7 yellow and one red card, and before that 5+1, 8, 7, 5, 4+2, 7+1. Only in the Barcelona vs. City game he showed less cards (5). These teams also play tough football in European competitions. Sporting played their first two games against FCSB, and in the first game there were 9 yellow and one red card (Brych was the referee, 6 cards per game), while there weren't as many at the second game, only 3 yellows (Cakir, 4 cards per game on average). From last season's games, I would point out visit at Legia (7+1) and at home against Dortmund (7), because I don't think the games against Real Madrid, Legia at home and BVB away are relevant. Against Porto, at the national championship, they have 7, 9 and against Benfica 4 and 6. Olympiacos have played 4 CL games this season, at Partizan 6 (Massa, 4 yellows per game), and 6 at home (Estrada, 4 yellow cards per game), against Rijeka 6+1 at home (Zwayer, 4) and 6 away (Makkelle, 3). Last season they were eliminated from the CL to Hapoel in the qualifiers, and they had 6 yellows twice. In the Europa League they have 2 against Besiktas at home (Makkelle), Osmanlispor8+1, Young Boys 6, Astana 8+1, Apoel 5, Arouca 9. In the national championship they have 6 at Panathinaikos, 7 and 8 at home against them. I think there is a reason Kassai is the referee in this game, and that it will not go under 7-8 yellow cards. Details

Kolding played 2 serious games in pre-seson, Winterthur at 50 goals, Aix at 49. All other games were mainly blow-outs, but they defeated Cocks Finland by 15 and ended at 53, and they defeated second division side Otterup by 9 and it ended at 53.
From the first round they played at 52 against fast and strong Holstebro, and they went up to 59 in the falling apart at Arhus.
Coach pointed out that their focus is on defense, they lack the strength for running and insisting on transition as much as he would like it, because of a virus they supposedly brought from Bosnia and which prevented pivot Overbu and right-back Kristiansen from training full time. Both of them played in Aarhus, so they are expected today as well.
Aalborg are not the same team without Sagosen, we have seen that so far in the season. After the pre-season, where they mostly faced German teams, they have 50 goals against Kiel, 43 against Sonderjyske,, and 44 against Skjern in the Supercup, 48 at Midtjylland. The loss at BSV with 36 conceded goals is not relevant, neither are the 33-29 against newcomers Nordsjaelland. It was 12-11 at halftime, they upped the pace in the second half, but Nordsjaelland's back line is much younger and faster than Stenmalm - Spellerberg-Kristiansen, which we will watch today.
Because of the circumstances and everything I wrote, this is not a game for 55 goals, in my opinion. Details

France have a horrible performance at the Euro-volley behind them, they were stopped by limited Czech Republic 3-1, they also struggled in the group stage and their performances are concerning. The disappointment is huge because they were defending the title but were eliminated in the round of 16 and we shouldn't expect any improvement 13 days after that. When we add to that N'Gapeth and Le Roux's absences, and selector's statements, it is evident that they are not in the best situation. On the other side, Brazil are coming here with their strongest team, they have won the South-American title, and as a preparation for GCC they played 4 games against USA. They won all 4 (2 in Brazil and 2 in the USA) even though they made rotations, and the Americans played two games with their strongest team. They have won the last 3 GCC's, they know what it's like to play here and considering everything mentioned, I think they are much bigger favorites today. France have won their last head-to-head in the World League final 3-2 in Curtiba, but N'Gapeth destroyed Brazil with 29 points, Le Roux added 8 and they were in much better form than today. Before that, Brazil won three games in 2016, 3-1 at the Olympics, 3-1 twice in the World League, and they will win today as well. Point handicap on Brazil is also not a bad option. Details