As the Champions League knockout play-off reaches its second leg on February 24, 2026, Bayer Leverkusen host Olympiakos at the BayArena with a 2-0 advantage from the first leg on February 18. This tie represents a crucial opportunity for Leverkusen to advance to the round of 16, having finished the league phase with 12 points and a -1 goal difference, just ahead of Olympiakos on 11 points and -4 goal difference. Both teams are battling in their domestic leagues, with Leverkusen sitting sixth in the Bundesliga on 39 points from 21 matches, and Olympiakos second in the Greek Super League with approximately 47 points from 21 games, underscoring the high stakes in this European encounter.
Bayer Leverkusen's recent form shows a mixed but resilient pattern, with their last five results recorded as W D W W L. This sequence suggests they have been competitive, particularly with wins in three of their previous four outings before a loss, which could provide momentum as they protect their lead. For Olympiakos, specific form details are unavailable, leaving their preparation somewhat opaque, but their strong league position indicates underlying consistency.
Key players could sway the outcome in this match. For Bayer Leverkusen, Patrik Schick stands out as the top scorer with around 6-7 goals in the Bundesliga and a brace in the first leg, while Alejandro Grimaldo has been influential in goals and assists. However, Leverkusen face challenges with injuries and suspensions: Eliesse Ben Seghir is out with an ankle injury, Nathan Tella with a foot issue, Mark Flekken due to a ligament injury and ineligibility, and Issa Traoré also ineligible for this competition. Olympiakos will miss Konstantinos Angelakis, sidelined by a cruciate ligament tear until March, and Theofanis Bakoulas, out for the same reason, potentially weakening their attack and midfield. On the Olympiakos side, Ayoub El Kaabi leads with 13 Super League goals, and Mehdi Taremi is another top scorer, offering threats that could unsettle Leverkusen's defense.
Tactically, Bayer Leverkusen are expected to deploy a 3-4-2-1 formation based on their first-leg prediction, featuring players like Blaswich in goal, Quansah, Andrich, and Tapsoba in defense, and Grimaldo in a versatile role. This setup could allow them to maintain a solid structure while countering Olympiakos' attacks. In head-to-head encounters, the teams have met recently with mixed results: Leverkusen won the first leg 2-0 on February 18, but Olympiakos previously triumphed 2-0 in an earlier match around January, giving them one win in current meetings compared to Leverkusen's single victory, which adds an element of caution to any tactical predictions.
Looking ahead, Bayer Leverkusen are likely in a strong position to progress, given their two-goal cushion and recent form, but Olympiakos could mount a comeback if their key attackers find space. The prediction leans towards a Leverkusen victory or at least a draw, as their defensive setup and home advantage might stifle Olympiakos' efforts, though anything can happen in knockout football.
Recommended Bets
Bet 1 @1.80 — Bayer Leverkusen to win or draw, based on their 2-0 lead and recent form showing three wins in four games, making them likely to secure progression.
Bet 2 @2.10 — Under 2.5 total goals, as the first leg ended 2-0 and both teams have key absences that could limit scoring opportunities.
Bet 3 @3.00 — Patrik Schick to score anytime, given his status as Leverkusen's top scorer with goals in the first leg and in the Bundesliga.
Odds tend to shorten closer to kickoff — lock in value now.
