Match Overview

The 2025/26 group stage enters its third matchday with a clash between Spanish giants Barcelona and Greek side Olympiacos. This highly anticipated fixture will take place on October 21 at the iconic Camp Nou stadium. Here’s a detailed prediction, betting odds, and statistics for the Barcelona – Olympiacos encounter.

Barcelona’s Current Form

The Catalan club initiated their group stage journey with a hard-fought 2-1 away victory against Newcastle. However, in their second fixture, playing at home, they suffered a 2-1 defeat to the reigning Champions League winners, PSG. This triumph over the English team remains Barcelona’s sole victory in their last five Champions League matches, which also include two draws and two losses in regular time. With 3 points, Barcelona currently occupies 16th place in the tournament standings. 

• Both teams have scored in Barcelona’s last five Champions League encounters.
• A minimum of three goals has been scored in Barcelona’s last seven matches in this tournament.
• The Spanish side has netted three or more goals in six of their previous eight home games in this European competition. 

Barcelona’s Probable Starting Lineup (4-2-3-1)

Wojciech Szczesny – Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin – Frenkie de Jong, Pedri – Lamine Yamal, Dro Fernandez, Marcus Rashford – Ferran Torres.

Due to injuries, goalkeepers Joan Garcia and Marc-André ter Stegen, midfielders Dani Olmo and Gavi, as well as forwards Raphinha Dias and Robert Lewandowski are unavailable. 

Olympiacos’ Current Form

The Greek team is currently without a victory or a goal in the competition. In the first round, they shared points with Pafos (0-0) at home, and in the subsequent away fixture, they lost 0-2 to Arsenal. Their winless streak in this tournament now extends to six games – comprising four draws and two defeats. Jose Luis Mendilibar’s squad currently sits in 29th place with just one point. Notably, alongside Olympiacos, only Ajax has yet to find the back of the net in the current campaign.

• In their last 22 Champions League group stage matches, Olympiacos has secured only two victories (along with three draws and 17 losses).
• No more than two goals have been scored in seven of Olympiacos’ last nine matches in this tournament.
• In their last 11 away games in this European competition, the Piraeus-based team has achieved only one victory (three draws and seven losses).

Olympiacos’ Probable Starting Lineup (4-2-3-1)

Konstantinos Tzolakis – Rodinei, Panagiotis Retsos, Lorenzo Pirola, Francisco Ortega – Santiago Hezze, Christos Mouzakitis – Daniel Podence, Chiquinho, Gabriel Strefezza – Ayoub El Kaabi.

Forward Roman Yaremchuk is sidelined due to injury. 

Match Referee

Urs Schneider (Switzerland)

Matches officiated – 11 (International matches, 2024/25-2025/26);

Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 60;

Average yellow cards per match – 5.5;

Red cards shown – 3;

Average fouls per match – 22;

Penalties awarded – 18%.

Barcelona vs Olympiacos Match Prediction

The Spanish side boasts an excellent record against Greek opponents, having secured seven victories in their seven previous European club encounters with teams from Greece. It is highly probable that the Catalans will claim another win in this fixture, though it is unlikely to be a dominant or high-scoring affair. The team is heavily impacted by injuries, especially in the attacking line, so I advise against betting on the home team’s handicap and instead recommend focusing on the visitors’ goal-scoring performance.

Historically, Olympiacos has struggled against Spanish clubs, losing 14 out of their last 16 away matches against representatives from Spain, with two draws. Furthermore, the Piraeus-based team has lost their last 11 away matches in the Champions League group stage. It is also worth noting that the Greek side has yet to score in the current competition, failing to find the net even at home against the modest Pafos. 

Considering that all of Barcelona’s key defensive players are fit and available, I believe the visitors will once again fail to score. Therefore, my prediction is “Olympiacos Total Goals Under 0.5” with odds of 1.82.