Champions League: Depleted Barca Have Enough to Dispatch Olympiacos

Barcelona vs Olympiacos

Barcelona hope to return to winning ways when they host Olympiacos in the third matchday of the 2025-26 Champions League campaign. This will be the Blaugrana’s second home game in the next four days, as they will host Girona later in La Liga. 

Before the October international break, Hansi Flick’s men were on a mini-slump, dropping their recent matches against PSG (2-1) and Sevilla (4-1). While losing to PSG is somewhat acceptable, the blowout loss to Sevilla was shocking, to say the least. As a result, Barcelona lost the La Liga top seed to Real Madrid, whom they’ll face after Olympiacos, and dropped to 16th in the Champions League table.

On the other hand, Olympiacos are winless in their first two Champions League matches against Pafos (0-0) and Arsenal (2-0). Jose Luis Mendilibar’s men are also on a two-game losing streak, following their latest league loss against PAOK (2-1). The Greeks will face AEL before the Blaugrana.

 

Talking Points

Barcelona have an injury-hit frontline

Hansi Flick faces a major lineup dilemma, as he will be without some of Barcelona’s best attackers against Girona and Olympiacos this weekend. Strikers Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres are the team’s notable absentees due to the injuries they sustained in the international break. According to reports, Lewandowski could be out for at least a month, while Torres has a hamstring injury. 

Dani Olmo also suffered an injury setback with Spain, while Lamine Yamal could be available after not playing for Spain in the international break. However, the youngster is unlikely to start given his recent injury record. We suspect that Barcelona will ease Yamal back into the action, with one eye on the upcoming El Clásico. Gavi, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and Joan Garcia will remain in the medical room. 

With that said, Marcus Rashford could draw a rare start, with Raphinha and Fermin Lopez likely to join him in the final third. There could also be more minutes for Roony Bardghji. Rashford was the Blaugrana’s Man of the Match during their 2-1 win over Newcastle United on the first matchday. However, it’s not all bad for Barcelona, as they still have depth in midfield and at the back.

 

Olympiacos have a decent attack

Olympiacos must regain their shooting boots fast if they’re to stand a chance against Barcelona. The Greeks have only scored one goal while conceding four on the other end this October.

On paper, Olympiacos are solid up front with Ayoub El Kaabi, Mehdi Taremi, Daniel Podence, Gabriel Strefezza, and Chiquinho, who combine for 10 league goals and six assists so far this term. Centre-back Panagiotis Retsos has also shown off his scoring touch, as the skipper already has two goals.

Olympiacos could be in for a coming-out party against AEL, as the latter has yet to win a game this season. AEL, currently 12^th in the Greek Super League, has scored seven while conceding 11 on the other end.

 

History

Tuesday marks only the third meeting between Barcelona and Olympiacos. These two teams last met in the 2017-18 Champions League group stage, where the Blaugrana won 3-1 in their first meeting and drew 0-0 in the second encounter. Barcelona finished on top of Group D with 14 points but lost to AS Roma in the quarter-finals. On the other hand, Olympiacos were dead last with only one point.

No Greek team has ever won away to a Spanish opponent in the Champions League, with 17 of the previous 21 attempts ending in defeat (D4). Olympiacos have lost 14 of their 16 previous away matches against Spanish opposition (D2). The only games they managed to avoid defeat in were both against Deportivo de la Coruna, notching a 2-2 draw in 2001 and a goalless draw in 2004.

 

Betting Tip

The Champions League 2025 odds predict a lopsided game in Barcelona’s favour. Barcelona are 1.16 favourites to win, whereas an Olympiacos victory seems like a long shot at 11.00, and a draw is at 6.60 in the 1X2 market. 

Despite their spate of injuries, Barcelona should have enough firepower to see this through, so football fans at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium should get their usual dose of Champions League 2025 highlights on Tuesday.

Besides our recommended bet, SBOTOP bettors can also add Over 3.25 at 1.83, Over 3.50 at 2.08, and even Total Goal 4-6 at 2.26 to the parlay. However, a Correct Score of 0-0 – the result of their previous meeting – could yield a staggering payday of 27.00.

   

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