Bayer Leverkusen vs Olympiacos Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips | UCL Play-off 2nd Leg – 24 February 2026

Match Overview: Leverkusen in the Driver's Seat

When Bayer Leverkusen welcome Olympiacos to the BayArena on Monday evening, they will do so with one foot firmly in the Champions League round of 16. Die Werkself hold a commanding 2–0 advantage after the first leg in Piraeus on Wednesday 18 February, with Czech striker Patrik Schick scoring twice in three second-half minutes to swing the tie decisively in Leverkusen's favour. Now, with home advantage and a two-goal cushion, Kasper Hjulmand's side are heavy favourites to progress.

For Olympiacos, the task is monumental. The Greek champions must score at least three goals at the BayArena — while keeping a clean sheet — to avoid elimination. It is a daunting proposition against a Leverkusen side that has been in excellent form since their last defeat to Olympiacos in the league phase on January 14. Since that 2–0 loss, Leverkusen are unbeaten in six matches across all competitions, including impressive wins over Villarreal, Eintracht Frankfurt and St. Pauli.

The key narrative heading into this second leg is whether Leverkusen can manage the game professionally — avoiding complacency while not expending unnecessary energy ahead of a congested Bundesliga schedule — or whether Olympiacos can produce the kind of European miracle that has made the Champions League knockout stages so compelling over the decades. History suggests the former is far more likely.

First Leg Analysis: Schick's Clinical Double

The opening 90 minutes in Piraeus was a tale of two halves. Olympiacos started brightly, with Gelson Martins forcing a fine save from Janis Blaswich early on, and the home side looked capable of taking the lead before the break. Leverkusen created the better chances — Ibrahim Maza's close-range volley was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Konstantinos Tzolakis, and Ernest Poku should have scored when played clean through but fired wide one-on-one with the Olympiacos goalkeeper.

The first half also saw a lengthy stoppage due to a nasty collision between Lorenzo Pirola and Panagiotis Retsos, with both players requiring treatment and Pirola needing staples in his forehead before returning to the field. Olympiacos thought they had scored before the break when Ayoub El Kaabi headed home from a free kick, but the goal was ruled out for offside after the slightest touch from Mehdi Taremi. It was a huge let-off for Leverkusen heading into the interval at 0–0.

The second half belonged entirely to Leverkusen. Schick's first goal on the hour mark was a clinical finish after being played through by Poku, and his second — a powerful header from a corner — effectively ended the tie as a contest. Olympiacos barely threatened in the second half, with the rest of the game petering out. Leverkusen's defensive discipline, marshalled by Robert Andrich and Edmond Tapsoba, ensured Blaswich was rarely troubled after Schick's opener.

Recent Form Guide

🔴⚫ Bayer Leverkusen – Last 5 Competitive Matches

Leverkusen arrive at this second leg in superb form. Their most recent outing was a 4–0 Bundesliga demolition of St. Pauli on February 15, a result that lifted them to sixth in the table — just three points off the top four with a game in hand. Before that, they secured the crucial 2–0 first-leg victory in Piraeus, beat Eintracht Frankfurt 3–1 away in the Bundesliga, thrashed Villarreal 3–0 at home in the Champions League league phase, and drew 1–1 with Borussia Mönchengladbach. Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last six matches across all competitions, showcasing the resilience and quality that has defined Hjulmand's tenure since taking over from Xabi Alonso.

🔴⚪ Olympiacos – Last 5 Competitive Matches

Olympiacos head to Leverkusen following a mixed run of form. The 2–0 first-leg defeat in Piraeus was followed by a disappointing 0–0 draw at home to Levadiakos in the Greek Super League — a result that did little to inspire confidence ahead of this must-win second leg. Before that, however, Olympiacos had won three consecutive matches, including a 3–0 victory over Marseille in the final matchday of the Champions League league phase and back-to-back domestic wins. The inconsistency is a concern for Jose Luis Mendilibar's side, who have struggled to maintain momentum over longer stretches this season.

Team News & Injury Report

🔴⚫ Bayer Leverkusen – Injury & Availability List

Bayer Leverkusen's injury list remains stable but damaging. First-choice goalkeeper Mark Flekken is still sidelined with a cruciate ligament knee injury sustained against Hoffenheim in mid-January, meaning Janis Blaswich will continue deputising between the sticks. The Austrian-Polish goalkeeper has been solid in Flekken's absence and should retain his place. Nathan Tella, the Nigerian winger who arrived from Southampton, remains out with a foot injury also picked up in that Hoffenheim match — Leverkusen confirmed both Flekken and Tella would be unavailable for an extended period. Eliesse Ben Seghir, the Moroccan forward on loan from Monaco, suffered an ankle injury while representing his country at the Africa Cup of Nations in January and is still several weeks away from a return.

The good news for Hjulmand is that his core players are fit and available. Patrik Schick — the hero of the first leg — is in excellent form, Robert Andrich provides leadership and defensive solidity from midfield or centre-back, and Spanish wing-backs Álex Grimaldo and Lucas Vázquez offer width and creativity from the flanks. Ibrahim Maza may return after a recent injury layoff, though his fitness remains uncertain.

🔴⚪ Olympiacos – Injury & Availability List

Olympiacos travel to Leverkusen with a mounting injury list that severely limits Jose Luis Mendilibar's tactical options. Midfielder Theofanis Bakoulas remains out with a long-term knee problem, while defensive absences include Konstatinos Angelakis and left-back Bjorn Meijer. In midfield, both Raphael Onyedika (hamstring) and Ludovit Reis (shoulder) are unavailable, stripping Olympiacos of physicality and ball progression quality in the centre of the park.

Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet — the former Liverpool shot-stopper who has been a key figure for Olympiacos in recent years — is doubtful with an adductor injury. If Mignolet is ruled out, Konstantinos Tzolakis will continue in goal after performing admirably in the first leg. The young Greek goalkeeper made several crucial saves to keep the scoreline respectable and will need to produce another heroic display if Olympiacos are to have any chance of pulling off a miracle comeback.

Predicted Lineups

Hjulmand is likely to field his strongest available XI for this second leg, though with one eye on Saturday's Bundesliga clash with Union Berlin. Patrik Schick will lead the line after his match-winning double in Piraeus, supported by the pace and creativity of Martin Tillman and Ernest Poku behind him. Spanish duo Álex Grimaldo and Lucas Vázquez will provide width from wing-back, while the experienced midfield trio of Aleix García, Exequiel Palacios and Robert Andrich offers defensive solidity and ball progression.

For Olympiacos, Mendilibar faces a dilemma: does he set up defensively to avoid conceding early and hope to nick goals on the counter, or does he go all-out attack from the first whistle knowing that anything less than three goals means elimination? The likely answer is a compromise — a 4-2-3-1 with Mehdi Taremi leading the line, supported by the creativity of Gelson Martins and the pace of Ayoub El Kaabi. Veteran Brazilian right-back Rodinei will need to provide attacking width while also tracking Grimaldo's runs down Leverkusen's left flank.

Head-to-Head Record

Recent Head-to-Head Meetings

The head-to-head record between these two sides is surprisingly balanced. Olympiacos hold the upper hand historically, having won two of their three previous encounters in all competitions. The most recent meeting before this play-off tie was in the Champions League league phase on January 14, when Olympiacos secured a memorable 2–0 home victory — a result that dented Leverkusen's hopes of finishing in the automatic qualification spots for the last 16.

However, Leverkusen have not won in four games in Greece (D1 L3) since a 4–1 Cup Winners' Cup success at Panathinaikos way back in 1993. That statistic made their 2–0 first-leg victory in Piraeus all the more impressive — it was the club's first knockout-stage away win in the Champions League and a significant psychological boost heading into this second leg. Leverkusen will take confidence from knowing they have already beaten Olympiacos on their own turf when the pressure was at its highest.

Key Battles to Watch

Tactical Analysis & Match Verdict

The tactical dynamic of this second leg is straightforward: Leverkusen need only avoid defeat to progress, while Olympiacos must score at least three goals without conceding. That fundamental imbalance heavily favours the home side, who can afford to play conservatively in the first half, absorb any early Olympiacos pressure, and then exploit the space left behind as the Greek side commits more men forward in desperation.

Hjulmand's game plan will almost certainly be to control possession in the opening 30 minutes, pin Olympiacos back in their own half, and force them to expend energy chasing the ball. If Leverkusen can reach half-time without conceding, Olympiacos will face the near-impossible task of scoring three goals in 45 minutes against a side that has conceded just 14 goals in their eight Champions League matches this season.

The key for Olympiacos is whether they can score an early goal — ideally within the first 15 minutes — to give themselves genuine belief that a comeback is possible. But even if they do, Leverkusen's quality on the counter-attack, with Schick's pace and Grimaldo's delivery from wide areas, means the Germans are highly likely to score an away goal that would effectively end the tie. Olympiacos would then need to score four or more, which is simply beyond the capabilities of this injury-hit squad.

Realistically, Leverkusen should cruise through this tie. The first-leg performance and result was comprehensive, and Die Werkself have been in excellent domestic form since. Olympiacos showed in the first leg that they lack the cutting edge in the final third to trouble Leverkusen's organised defence, and with so many key players missing through injury, it is difficult to see where the goals will come from.

Our verdict: Bayer Leverkusen win 2–0 on the night (4–0 on aggregate) and progress comfortably to the round of 16. This tie is effectively over, and Leverkusen should manage the game professionally without taking unnecessary risks. Schick to score again, and Leverkusen to keep a clean sheet.

Our Expert Prediction

We predict Bayer Leverkusen 2–0 Olympiacos on the night (4–0 on aggregate). The first-leg advantage is simply too large for Olympiacos to overcome, particularly given their injury crisis and Leverkusen's excellent recent form. Die Werkself should manage this tie professionally, avoid unnecessary risks, and secure passage to the round of 16 with relative ease. Bayer Leverkusen to qualify is a near-certainty at ~1.10 odds — low risk, guaranteed value. For those seeking higher returns, Leverkusen win & under 3.5 goals (~2.20) offers excellent value.

Top 6 Betting Tips: Bayer Leverkusen vs Olympiacos

Full 1X2 Match Odds (90 Minutes)