Bayer Leverkusen vs Olympiacos preview, team news and prediction

Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen go into this match at home and with a tidy aggregate lead against Greek giants Olympiacos in the Champions League

With a place in the Champions League round of 16 at stake, Bayer Leverkusen welcome Greek powerhouse Olympiacos to the BayArena on Tuesday night for the decisive second leg of their knockout playoff. Die Werkself carry a valuable 2-0 advantage from the first leg, but Olympiacos will arrive determined to mount a comeback and keep their European dreams alive.

Kasper Hjulmand’s Leverkusen side will be confident after earning a crucial win in Greece, yet they know better than to underestimate an Olympiacos team desperate to turn the tie around. Leverkusen’s recent form has been impressive, with six wins from their last eight matches in all competitions. However, they suffered a setback at the weekend, falling 1-0 to Union Berlin after conceding an early goal to Rani Khedira. That defeat leaves Leverkusen sixth in the Bundesliga, and with Champions League qualification for next season still uncertain, the pressure is on to deliver in Europe.

Supporters will be hoping their team can at least replicate last season’s run to the round of 16, though memories of a heavy 5-0 aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich still linger. Encouragingly, Leverkusen have made the BayArena a fortress in recent weeks, winning their last four home matches—all with clean sheets—offering a solid foundation as they look to finish the job against Olympiacos.

Olympiacos, managed by Jose Luis Mendilibar, endured a shaky start to the Champions League league phase, losing two of their first three matches. However, they rallied impressively, finishing the round with three consecutive victories—including a 2-0 win over Leverkusen on January 20. That result will give the Greek side belief that they can overturn the deficit in Germany.

Recent form, however, has been less convincing for Olympiacos, with just one win in their last four games across all competitions. They failed to score in three of those matches, suffering two defeats and a draw, though they did return to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Panetolikos on Saturday. Fans will hope that result provides the momentum needed for a European upset.

One reason for Olympiacos optimism is their impressive away record: the Greek champions are unbeaten on the road since a heavy 6-1 defeat to Barcelona in late October, a run of 10 matches that includes seven wins. That resilience away from home means the travelling supporters can approach Tuesday’s clash with cautious optimism, knowing their side has what it takes to challenge Leverkusen on their own turf.

With everything to play for and both teams eyeing a spot in the last 16, Tuesday’s encounter at the BayArena promises to be a tense and dramatic affair.

Bayer Leverkusen vs Olympiacos Prediction

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