The Round 8 match of the group stage of the 2025/26 Champions League between Ajax (Netherlands) and Olympiacos (Greece) will take place on January 28 at Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam. Ajax vs Olympiacos: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Ajax
Ajax played worse than any other team in the current group stage until Matchday 5, losing all of those games. But in the last two fixtures the team won, both away from home, and as a result returned to the fight for a place in the play-offs. First they beat Qarabag 4:2, and in the previous meeting unexpectedly defeated Villarreal 2:1. The team is two points behind the top-24 club, so only a win will do in the final round. Also note that, together with two other opponents, the home side has the worst defense — 19 goals conceded.
- Ajax's run in this European competition stands at 14 matches (4 wins and 10 losses).
- At least three goals were scored in 11 of the club's previous 13 Champions League matches.
- The team conceded two or more goals in 10 of its last 12 games in this tournament.
Potential Ajax Lineup (4-3-3)
Ajax – Vitezslav Jaros – Anton Goeij, Aaron Baumann, Owen Wijndal, Yuri Baas – Yuri Reger, Davy Klaassen, Jorti Mokio – Oscar Gluh, Mika Godts, Kasper Dolberg.
Defender Ko Itakura is injured. Midfielder Steven Bergwijn's participation is currently in question.
Olympiacos
Olympiacos also recorded both of their group-stage wins in the 2025/26 Champions League in the last two rounds. After an away triumph over Kairat 1:0 the team followed up with an unexpected home victory over Bayer 2:0. Olympiacos also has two draws that helped it reach the scoring zone of the main stage of the competition. The team is currently 24th, but points cannot be lost in Round 8, as that could leave them without the play-offs.
- The club has failed to win in 9 of its previous 11 Champions League matches (5 draws and 4 losses).
- No more than two goals were scored in 5 of Olympiacos's last 7 games in this competition.
- The team scored in 6 of its 7 previous away Champions League matches.
Potential Olympiacos Lineup (4-5-1)
Olympiacos – Konstantinos Tzolakis – Costinha, Lorenzo Pirola, Panagiotis Retsos, Francisco Ortega – Rodinei, Santiago Esse, Shiquinho, Christos Mouzakitis, Chiquinho – Mehdi Taremi.
Defender Gustavo Mancha, defensive midfielder Yusuf Yazici and forward Roman Yaremchuk are out with injuries.
Referee
Francois Letexier (France)
Matches – 18 (International matches, 2024/25 - 2025/26);
Yellow/red cards shown (counting second yellows) – 77;
Average yellow/red per match – 4.3;
Red cards shown – 4;
Fouls average per match – 21;
Penalties – 39%.
Ajax vs Olympiacos: Match Prediction
Tournament motivation is off the charts for both opponents. Only a win leaves any chance of reaching the play-offs, so there will be no talk of playing for a draw or sitting back to defend. In a confrontation between two teams of roughly equal strength, the home arena can be decisive. However, on their own ground Ajax have lost all five previous Champions League matches. In each of those games the home side conceded at least two goals.
We believe that once again the home side will not keep a clean sheet. Olympiacos may not win away often, but in six previous matches in this tournament they lost only to strong Arsenal and Barcelona. At the same time, the visitors scored in 6 of their 7 most recent away Champions League fixtures. Therefore, a bet on an exchange of goals in this game looks optimal. Both clubs will play on the attack in the final round and will fight until the final whistle.
Prediction: Both teams to score
