Olympiacos vs Pafos FC: Prediction Preview, Lineups, H2h for September 17, 2025

On Wednesday, the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League group stage will kick off at Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus, where Greek team Olympiacos will face Cypriot club Pafos. Here’s a betting tip with promising odds.

Match Preview

Olympiacos returns to the Champions League group stage for the first time in five years, a much-anticipated moment for the club. Their recent domestic championship win has restored their status, but their European record is concerning, with only two victories in their last 11 matches in this top competition. At home, Olympiacos tends to play conservatively, which is evident in their low scoring numbers.

Adding to their challenges is the suspension of first-choice goalkeeper Tzolakis. The team has been leaning on the individual skills of El Kaabi and the experience of Cabella, but a lack of midfield support has impacted their overall performance, raising questions about their ability to achieve a convincing win.

Pafos is making history as it plays in the Champions League group stage for the first time. Managed by Juan Carlos Carcedo, Pafos impressively advanced through the qualifiers, defeating established teams like Maccabi, Dynamo Kyiv, and Crvena Zvezda without a loss, securing four wins and two draws.

Despite being newcomers, Pafos has shown impressive maturity. They are particularly effective on the road, currently on a three-match away winning streak and scoring in nearly every game. Their strengths include solid defending and quick counterattacks, with Orsic and Oliveira standing out. The Cypriot team has demonstrated it can challenge more prominent rivals successfully.

Probable Lineups

• Olympiacos: Paschalakis, Costinha, Retsos, Biankon, Ortega, Mouzakitis, Esse, Gelson Martins, Chiquinho, Cabella, El Kaabi
• Pafos: Michail, Gomez Goldar, Luckassen, Langa, Bruno, Sunjic, Dragomir, Rodrigues, Orsic, Correia, Oliveira Silva

Match Facts and Head-to-Head

• Olympiacos has not won by more than one goal in their last 13 Champions League matches.
• Pafos is making its Champions League group stage debut, having remained unbeaten in qualifying.
• The Cypriots have scored in 7 of their last 8 away games in European competitions.

Prediction

Olympiacos is favored due to its experience and home advantage, but their recent performance in Europe raises some concerns. Pafos has shown resilience and discipline under pressure. Our recommendation is: “Pafos win with a +1.5 handicap” at odds of 1.69.