Piraeus, Greece – Olympiacos hosts Bayer Leverkusen tonight at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League knockout round playoff tie. The match, kicking off at 8 p.m. ET (3 p.m. PT, 12 p.m. GMT), marks a crucial stage for both clubs as they vie for a spot in the Champions League round of 16. Olympiacos, having finished 18th in the league phase table, secured their playoff berth with a late-season surge, including a 2-0 victory over Leverkusen on January 20, 2026.
Leverkusen, who finished one point ahead of Olympiacos in the table, similarly enjoyed a strong finish to their league phase, winning three of their final five games. This playoff represents a chance for both teams to continue their European campaigns, with the stakes considerably higher than earlier stages of the competition. The match is being broadcast on Paramount+ in the United States.
Team Lineups and Formations
Olympiacos will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, managed by José Luis Mendilibar. The starting eleven includes goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis, defenders Francisco Ortega, Lorenzo Pirola, Panagiotis Retsos (captain), and Rodinei, with defensive midfielders Santiago Hezze and Christos Mouzakitis supporting the attack. The attacking trio consists of Daniel Podence, Mehdi Taremi, and Gelson Martins, with Ayoub El Kaabi leading the line as striker.
Bayer Leverkusen will counter with a 3-4-2-1 formation.
Here’s a look at the confirmed Olympiacos starting lineup:
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Konstantinos Tzolakis |
| Defender | Francisco Ortega |
| Defender | Lorenzo Pirola |
| Defender | Panagiotis Retsos (Captain) |
| Defender | Rodinei |
| Defensive Midfielder | Santiago Hezze |
| Defensive Midfielder | Christos Mouzakitis |
| Attacking Midfielder | Daniel Podence |
| Attacking Midfielder | Mehdi Taremi |
| Attacking Midfielder | Gelson Martins |
| Striker | Ayoub El Kaabi |
Recent Form
Olympiacos has experienced mixed results recently, with a 0-0 draw against Levadiakos, a 0-1 loss to Panathinaikos, and a 3-0 win over Asteras Tripolis. Leverkusen, meanwhile, secured a 4-0 victory over St. Pauli and a 3-0 win against Villarreal, but also drew 1-1 with Borussia Mönchengladbach and Eintracht Frankfurt. The January 20th Champions League encounter saw Olympiacos defeat Leverkusen 2-0.
Key Match Statistics
As of the 9th minute of play on February 18, 2026, the score remains 0-0. Olympiacos currently holds 48.9% of the possession, while Bayer Leverkusen has 51.1%. Neither team has registered a shot on goal, though Olympiacos has attempted 10 shots compared to Leverkusen’s 0. No yellow cards or corner kicks have been awarded, and both goalkeepers are yet to make a save. Odds favor Bayer Leverkusen, with Olympiacos listed at +140 on the moneyline, Leverkusen at +220, and a draw at +235.
Elsewhere in Champions League action today, Newcastle United defeated Qarabağ 6-1, while Inter Milan and Bodø/Glimt played to a 0-0 draw, and Club Brugge lost to Atletico Madrid 1-0.
What to Watch For
The second leg, scheduled to be played at the BayArena in Leverkusen, will determine which team advances to the Champions League round of 16. Olympiacos will be looking to replicate their January victory, while Leverkusen will aim to capitalize on their home advantage. The outcome of this tie will significantly impact both clubs’ European ambitions for the remainder of the season.
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