Olympiacos and Bayer Leverkusen meet in a contest that sees both teams seeking knockout Champions League football after inconsistent campaigns.
Kick-off is set for 3:00 PM ET on Wednesday 18th February 2026 at the Karaiskakis Stadium. Will Leverkusen’s ball control break down Olympiacos’ direct, multi-pronged attack, or will home advantage prove decisive again?
Best Bets & Predictions
Based on underlying stats and recent form, here are our top betting recommendations for this match. We’re particularly confident in both teams finding the net, given neither have kept a clean sheet against top-half opposition and both average over a goal per game.
| Our Prediction | Odds & Sportsbook | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Both Teams to Score – Yes | -143 @ Bet365 | ⭐⭐⭐ | Both sides have conceded 14 in eight games, and each boasts attacking threats who outperform their expected goals. That defensive record, combined with creative midfielders on both teams, suggests goals at both ends. |
| Bayer Leverkusen to Win | +175 @ Bet365 | ⭐⭐⭐ | Leverkusen’s superior pass and shot accuracy (nearly 88% and 42% respectively) indicate stronger control and final-third efficiency. Their xG matches their goal tally, while Olympiacos have struggled to create clear chances from open play in this fixture last time out. |
| Ayoub El Kaabi Anytime Scorer | +120 @ Bet365 | ⭐⭐ | El Kaabi’s shot accuracy (57.1%) is the highest among Olympiacos attackers and he leads the side in big chance creation. With Leverkusen conceding in all but three matches, he’s well placed to find the net. |
Odds correct at the time of writing.
Season Form & Standings
Both teams endured inconsistent league phase campaigns, securing their places in the knockout play-offs. Bayer Leverkusen finished 16th with 12 points, their technical proficiency and ball control earning them three wins and three draws. However, a leaky defence that conceded 14 goals undermined their efforts. Olympiacos finished just two places and one point behind them in 18th, also with three wins but with a worse goal difference. The Greek side showed flashes of attacking danger but struggled for consistency, leaving both teams with plenty to prove as they enter the high-stakes knockout environment.
| Team | Pos | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bayer Leverkusen | 16 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 13 | 14 | -1 | 12 |
| Olympiacos | 18 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 14 | -4 | 11 |
Potential Match-Winners
•Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen): 4 goals and 19 big chance assists so far – by far the most creative player on the pitch. Averaging over 2 big chances created per game, plus a 33% shot accuracy.
•Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiacos): With 2 goals from 2.5 xG, he’s not only finishing his chances but also leads his team in shot accuracy (57.1%) and big chance assists, showing a threat both as scorer and creator.
•Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen): Efficient in the final third with 50% shot accuracy and a pass completion rate over 86%, giving Leverkusen a technical edge.
•Mehdi Taremi (Olympiacos): 2 goals and 2 assists, plus a knack for big chance creation (8), making him a persistent danger in and around the penalty area.
Last Meeting
These sides have met officially just once in recent memory, with Olympiacos taking the honours at home last month. That result sets the stage for a fascinating rematch here.
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 20/01/26 | Olympiacos 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen | Europe |
Olympiacos vs Bayer Leverkusen prediction
Will Leverkusen’s superior technical stats and creativity, led by Grimaldo and Tillman, be enough to overturn their recent loss in Greece? Olympiacos have the recent home win, but both teams’ leaky defences point to value in backing Both Teams to Score at -143 with Bet365. With attacking quality on both sides, expect an open contest and plenty of goalmouth action.
Odds correct at the time of writing.
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