Olympiacos vs Bayer Leverkusen: Champions League Playoff Showdown
Olympiacos and Bayer Leverkusen are set to reignite their rivalry in this season’s Champions League playoff, with the stakes higher than ever. Tuesday night marks the first leg of a tie that will determine which team advances to the prestigious group stage. Both teams finished with strong runs in the league phase, setting the stage for a captivating encounter.
Olympiacos’ Recent Form
José Luis Mendilibar’s Olympiacos enjoyed a remarkable late surge, climbing to 18th in the league table with three consecutive victories. A notable win during this run was a convincing 2–0 triumph over Leverkusen on Matchday 7. This late rally has given them a genuine opportunity to reach the Champions League round of 16 for only the fourth time this century.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Momentum
Bayer Leverkusen, under the guidance of Kasper Hjulmand, finished just a point ahead of Olympiacos in the table. They also concluded the league phase on a positive note, winning three of their final five games, including an impressive 3–0 victory over Villarreal in Gameweek 8. While their domestic form has been inconsistent, they’ve found a rhythm in recent weeks.
Key Battles and Tactical Outlook
The first leg promises a tactical battle between Mendilibar’s pragmatic approach and Hjulmand’s attacking philosophy. Olympiacos will likely look to exploit their home advantage and counter-attack, as they did successfully in their previous encounter with Leverkusen. Leverkusen, however, will be keen to learn from their earlier defeat and impose their attacking prowess.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Olympiacos
Theofanis Bakoulas is the only confirmed injury concern for Olympiacos. Mendilibar is expected to field a strong lineup, led by the prolific Mehdi Taremi, who has 13 Champions League goals to his name. He will be supported by Gelson Martins in attack.
Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Tzolakis; Costinha, Retsos, Pirola, Ortega; Hezze, García; Rodinei, Chiquinho, Martins; Taremi.
Bayer Leverkusen
Leverkusen are currently without goalkeeper Mark Flekken due to a knee injury, with Nathan Tella and Eliesse Ben Seghir also sidelined with ankle and foot injuries, respectively. Hjulmand’s attack is spearheaded by Patrik Schick, with Malik Tillman providing creative support.
Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1): Blaswich; Quansah, Andrich, Tapsoba; Vázquez, García, Fernández, Grimaldo; Tillman, Poku; Schick.
Recent Form Comparison
- Levadiakos 0–0 Olympiacos
- Bayer Leverkusen 4–0 St. Pauli
- Olympiacos 0–1 Panathinaikos
- Borussia Mönchengladbach 1–1 Bayer Leverkusen
- Asteras Tripolis 0–3 Olympiacos
- Bayer Leverkusen 3–0 St. Pauli
- AEK Athens 1–1 Olympiacos
- Eintracht Frankfurt 1–3 Bayer Leverkusen
- Ajax 1–2 Olympiacos
- Bayer Leverkusen 3–0 Villarreal
Where to Watch
United States: Paramount+
United Kingdom: TNT Sports 4, discovery+
Canada: DAZN Canada, fuboTV Canada
Mexico: TNT Sports, Max Mexico, TNT Go
Prediction
Olympiacos’ ability to absorb pressure and capitalize on counter-attacks will be crucial. However, Leverkusen’s attacking firepower and tactical adjustments are expected to give them the edge. Expect a tense encounter with a low-scoring outcome.
Prediction: Olympiacos 1–1 Bayer Leverkusen
James Cormack is a Sports Illustrated Soccer freelance writer specializing in tactical and player analysis.
