Barcelona vs Olympiacos Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
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Barcelona could do with a bit of a run of form now after what was a frustrating few weeks pre-international break as they now face Olympiacos.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – Paramount+
Barcelona preview: Need some consistency
Spanish champions Barcelona head into this one on the back of a much-needed last gasp victory over Catalan rivals and struggling Girona at Estadi Olympic Lluis Companys the other day, courtesy of a second-half stoppage-time winner scored by Uruguay international defender Ronald Araujo at the weekend.
The Blaugrana's performance level has diminished this season, despite a full pre-season in contrast to other teams, such as Real Madrid and their adventure at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. There would therefore have to be a growing pressure arising to simply start finding their fluency from last season, as well as putting results together.
Olympiacos preview: Tough UCL start
Former Sevilla boss Jose Luis Mendilibar has proven his credentials in the past in UEFA competition football. The former Eibar boss won the UEFA Europa League with Sevilla before winning the UEFA Europa Conference League with Olympiacos a couple of seasons ago.
The Greek giants come into this one on the back of a comfortable 2-0 win away at AEL Larissa in their most recent outing at the weekend in the Greek Super League. They have collected a point without scoring in their opening couple of matches against Pafos and then Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League.
Barcelona team news: Several injuries
Barcelona have plenty of key injury absentees for this clash with the Greeks as goalkeeper Joan Garcia is now sidelined alongside key attackers Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski, as well as Dani Olmo. Ferran Torres is a major doubt, too, despite making the squad, whilst Andreas Christensen is not in the squad.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Kounde, Cubarsi, E. Garcia, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Yamal, De Jong, Fermin; Rashford
Unavailable: Ter Stegen (Injured), J. Garcia (Injured), Christensen (Injured), Gavi (Injured), Olmo (Injured), Raphinha (Injured), Torres (Injured), Lewandowski (Injured)
Questionable: Torres (Injured)
Olympiacos team news: Couple of injuries
Olympiacos head to Catalonia with just a couple of injury issues as Rodinei is sidelined due to a muscle injury alongside Gabriel Strefezza, dealing with illness. They don't have any other suspension issues, though
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Tzolakis; Costinha, Retsos, Pirola, Ortega; Hezze, Garcia; Martins, Chiquinho, Podence; El Kaabi
Unavailable: Rodinei (Injured), Strefezza (Illness)
Questionable:
Barcelona vs Olympiacos prediction
It doesn't help a stuttering Barca side that their best eleven is completely depleted. The Blaugrana have a lot of key absentees for this one and the lack of fluency that they have is only going to lead to further stilted performance. That is not ideal when they come up against an Olympiacos side that can play quite deep with great effectiveness and they are also quite slick on the counter attack, too. Barca should still come out on top but it may not be overly convincing for the hosts.
Barcelona vs Olympiacos Tip: Barcelona to win & under 3.5 goals
