The Matchday 3 clash of the 2025/26 Champions League group stage between Barcelona (Spain) and Olympiacos (Greece) will take place on October 21 at Camp Nou. Barcelona vs. Olympiacos: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Barcelona
The Catalans kicked off the group stage with an away victory over Newcastle (2-1). However, in the second round, the team, playing at home, lost by the same scoreline to the reigning Champions League winners, PSG. Thus, the win against the English side remains the only victory for the Spaniards in their last five matches in this European competition (2 draws, 2 losses in regular time). With 3 points, Barcelona currently sits 16th in the standings.
- Both teams scored in Barcelona's last five Champions League matches.
- At least 3 goals were scored in Barcelona's last 7 games in this tournament.
- The Spaniards scored 3 or more goals in 6 of their last 8 home matches in this European competition.
Predicted lineup for Barcelona (4-2-3-1)
Wojciech Szczęsny – Jules Koundé, Ronald Araújo, Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin – Frenkie de Jong, Pedri – Lamine Yamal, Dro Fernandez, Marcus Rashford – Ferran Torres.
Unavailable due to injuries are goalkeepers Joan Garcia and Marc-André ter Stegen, midfielders Dani Olmo and Gavi, as well as forwards Raphinha Dias and Robert Lewandowski.
Olympiacos
The Greeks are yet to secure a win or score a goal. In the first round, the team drew at home against Pafos (0-0), and in the next match, they lost 0-2 away to Arsenal. The club's winless streak in this tournament now stands at 6 matches – 4 draws and 2 losses. José Luis Mendilibar's side currently holds 29th position with 1 point. It's also worth noting that, alongside the Greeks, only Ajax remains without a goal.
- In their last 22 group matches in the Champions League, Olympiacos has only 2 wins (3 draws and 17 losses).
- No more than two goals were scored in 7 of Olympiacos's last 9 games in this tournament.
- In their last 11 away matches in this European competition, Olympiacos has secured just 1 win (3 draws and 7 losses).
Predicted lineup for Olympiacos (4-2-3-1)
Konstantinos Tzolakis – Rodinei, Panagiotis Retsos, Lorenzo Pirola, Francisco Ortega – Santiago Heese, Christos Mouzakitis – Daniel Podence, Chiquinho, Gabriel Strefezza – Ayoub El Kaabi.
Forward Roman Yaremchuk is sidelined due to injury.
Referee
Urs Schneider (Switzerland)
Matches – 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 – 18%.
Match Prediction: Barcelona vs. Olympiacos
The Spaniards have an excellent record against Greek opponents, winning all 7 of their previous European encounters with clubs from this country. It's likely that the Catalans will secure another victory in this match, although it may not be a convincing or dominant one. The team has too many injured players, especially in the attacking line, so I do not recommend betting on a handicap for the hosts but rather focusing on the visitors' performance.
Olympiacos historically struggles against Spanish clubs, losing 14 of their last 16 away matches against teams from this country, with 2 draws. Additionally, the Piraeus team has lost their last 11 away group stage matches in the Champions League. It's also worth noting that the Greeks have yet to score in the current campaign, failing to do so even at home against modest Pafos.
Considering that Barcelona's defense is fully fit, I believe the visitors will once again fail to score. Therefore, my prediction is Olympiacos Individual Total Under 0.5
