In the Champions League Round of 16 on February 18, 2026, Olympiacos will face Bayer. Both sides believe in their chances of success in this direct encounter.The Greeks, under Mendilibar, first achieved victory in the Conference League in 2024. Afterwards, they reclaimed the status of the strongest team at home.
Now, they are trying to maintain their number one position in the Super League, though fierce competition from AEK and PAOK makes it difficult. The Germans, after their “golden double,” managed to finish second in the following Bundesliga under Xabi Alonso. However, even after quickly replacing the disappointing ten Hag with Julmand, they are only in contention for fourth place at the moment. They are also performing well in the cup.
In the Champions League, the club from Piraeus had a difficult start: failing to score at home against debutants Pafos, and then collecting just one point in four matches, drawing at home with PSV while losing to Arsenal, Barcelona, and Real. However, they managed to improve in decisive matches, including victories over Bayer, Kairat, and Ajax.
The team from Leverkusen has been inconsistent in the tournament. They started with two draws against Copenhagen and PSV, and suffered a record 2-7 defeat to PSG. Nevertheless, they went on to win away matches against Benfica and even Manchester City. After a 2-2 draw at home with Newcastle and the aforementioned setback in Greece, they finished the group stage by thrashing Villarreal 3-0 in the decisive round.
Olympiacos vs Bayer: Key Statistics and Trends
Olympiacos has won three matches in a row
The team scores an average of 1.25 goals and concedes 1.75
Bayer has won three of their last five matches
The club scores an average of 1.63 goals and concedes 1.75
Olympiacos vs Bayer: Probable Starting Lineups
Olympiacos (probable lineup): Tzolakis – Ortega, Pirola, Retsos, Kostinha – Muzakitis, Esse, Gelson Martins, Chiquinho, Rodinei – Taremi
Bayer (probable lineup): Blaswich – Bade, Quansah, Andrich – Grimaldo, Maza, Tillman, Aleix Garcia, Fernandez, Vazquez – Schick
Previous Matches: Olympiacos vs Bayer
Before the already mentioned January game, the teams had played in 2002, exchanging home victories: 6-2 in Greece and 2-0 in Germany.
Free Prediction for Olympiacos vs Bayer
The Greeks will be favorites, at least at home. However, the Germans are now much more focused and should be able to avoid defeat (odds – 1.60).
