Olympiacos vs Pafos Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
by Alex Lawes ·
Updated
This one could be a tasty affair in Piraeus as Greece take on Cyprus with Greek champions Olympiacos welcoming Cypriot champions Pafos this midweek.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – CBS Sports
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – Paramount+
Olympiacos preview: Taking it to the UCL
In the 2023/24 season, Olympiacos won the UEFA Europa Conference League and then Jose Luis Mendilibar led the Greek giants to a domestic double and a round of 16 appearance in the UEFA Europa League last season.
The Spanish coach, who won the 2022/23 UEFA Europa League with Sevilla, has got an impressive squad at his disposal, boosted by the signings of Gabriel Strefezza and Mehdi Taremi, as they seek to make a statement in the UEFA Champions League.
Pafos preview: UCL debutants
Under the management of Juan Carlos Carcedo, 11-year-old club Pafos won their first ever Cypriot title last season, backing up their first ever piece of silverware, the Cypriot Cup, in the 2023/24 campaign.
They have qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the first time ever after victories against Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Dynamo Kyiv and Crvena Zvezda. Their summer has seen them add recognisable names, such as David Luiz.
Olympiacos team news: Tzolakis suspended
Greece international goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis is missing through suspension for this one after a red card against Bodo/Glimt in the UEFA Europa League last season. Roman Yaremchuk, who notched a brace in that game, is out injured, too.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Paschalakis; Costinha, Retsos, Biancone, Ortega; Hezze, Mouzakitis; Martins, Chiquinho, Cabella; El Kaabi
Unavailable: Tzolakis (Suspended), Yaremchuk (Injured)
Questionable:
Pafos team news: Nothing of note
The aforementioned David Luiz suffered a hamstring injury in pre-season but the experienced former Brazil international centre-back has returned to full fitness, albeit may not start.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Michael; Felipe, Luckassen, Goldar, Pileas; Rodrigues, Sunjic; Correia, Dragomis, Orsic; Anderson
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Olympiacos vs Pafos prediction
Olympiacos are a side that have begun to grow their pedigree in European competition over recent seasons. The Greek champions most recently dispatched of Panserraikos with a brace scored by substitute Taremi, just highlighting the depth that they have. Pafos will head to the Karaiskakis Stadium with a belief that they can at least be competitive in Piraeus, but Olympiacos are the firm favourites.
Olympiacos vs Pafos Tip: Olympiacos to win
