Bayer Leverkusen vs Olympiakos: Bayer to put Greeks in the mire

Bayer Leverkusen look to finish the job this Tuesday, February 24 (20:00 GMT, TNT Sports) against Olympiakos. This Uefa Champions League play-off second leg sees the German side leading 2-0 from the first meeting.

Bayer reached the round of 16 in last season’s competition before being knocked out 5-0 on aggregate by Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich. Olympiakos won the 2023/24 Uefa Conference League but are taking part in their first Champions League knockout stage since they reached the round of 16 in 2013/14. Read on for my Bayer Leverkusen vs Olympiakos predictions.

Team News

Leverkusen are in a tricky spot between the sticks. First choice goalkeeper Mark Flekken has been sidelined with a knee ligament injury since the end of January. The gloves are presently on the hands of Janis Blaswich, the former RB Leipzig stopper who signed in the summer. 

Centre back Loic Bade is out with a hamstring problem. Premier League regulars will notice a familiar face in the Bayer back line. Former Liverpool defender Jarrell Quansah is a regular part of manager Kasper Hjulmand’s back three.

On the Olympiakos side of the fence, the underdogs are missing Theofanis Bakoulas. The Greek midfielder had been on-loan to Portuguese outfit Rio Ave before a knee ligament tear cut his spell short.

Bayer Leverkusen vs Olympiakos Odds

The home side are 4/5 favourites, having triumphed 2-0 in the away leg. Olympiakos are 3/1 to win on the night while the draw is placed at 16/5.

Die Werkself are 1/33 to win the two-legged tie while Olympiakos are 11/4 to pull off the comeback and progress.

Football Odds

Bayer Leverkusen to win to nil @ 9/4

Olympiakos scored 10 goals in nine games during the league phase. Three of the eliminated sides scored more than Jose Luis Mendilibar’s men.

Bayer did lose 2-0 to these opponents during the league phase. But the circumstances here are different.

Olympiakos are desperate. Leverkusen are at home. The German side kept clean sheets in wins over Manchester City, Villarreal and Benfica in the league phase. They held Olympiakos at their own ground last week. This Bayer side can keep their sheet spotless on Tuesday night.

Bayer Leverkusen to win both halves @ 18/5

Olympiakos don’t score many goals in Europe. I feel like Leverkusen can put a stop to any hint of a comeback early doors by getting on the scoresheet in the first half.

Leverkusen scored six first-half goals in the league phase. In the Bundesliga, Die Werkself have scored in the first half of their last four games. Bayer are no strangers to a fast start. I see them launching an early assault here.

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