At BayArena on 24 February 2026, Bayer Leverkusen host Olympiakos Piraeus in the decisive second leg of their European knockout tie, with the German side holding a 2-0 advantage from Greece. The narrative has shifted dramatically since the group stage, when Leverkusen suffered a 0-2 defeat in Piraeus, but recent form now strongly favours the hosts.
Prediction: Correct Score 2-1
While Leverkusen hold a comfortable aggregate lead, Olympiakos’ need to attack could open the game up. A 2-1 home win fits the expected dynamics, with the visitors forced to chase and the hosts exploiting space in transition.
Olympiakos come into the clash after losing first place in the Greek championship, though they restored some belief with a 2-0 home win over Panetolikos at the weekend. Before that, they endured three consecutive matches without scoring, a concerning trend given that they now require goals to overturn the deficit. Despite this, their away record remains impressive, as they are unbeaten in their last ten away matches across all competitions. That resilience suggests they will not collapse easily, even in a difficult environment.
With Olympiakos needing to push forward, the match could feature more open phases than the first leg. Leverkusen, comfortable with a two-goal cushion, are likely to remain patient, inviting pressure before striking on the counter. The visitors’ urgency may create opportunities at both ends, especially if they commit numbers forward in search of an early breakthrough.
