Ajax prepare to host Olympiacos in the UEFA Champions League at the Johan Cruijff ArenA this Wednesday as they look to build on their impressive win last time out.
Ajax have given themselves a late lifeline in the Champions League after starting disastrously with five straight defeats, responding by beating Qarabag and Villarreal to keep faint knockout hopes alive.
Progress is still out of their hands, as they must win this final fixture and rely on results elsewhere, having only four teams below them in the standings.
Confidence, however, is not in short supply, with Fred Grim’s side losing just once in their last 12 matches across all competitions and putting together a strong home run of five games unbeaten, offering belief they can claim a third successive UCL victory for the first time since 2021.
Olympiacos travel to Amsterdam sitting two points above Ajax and currently occupying the final play-off spot, boosted by a 2-0 win over Leverkusen on matchday seven.
The Greek champions are also carrying momentum, having won three of their last four matches without conceding, and know that another victory here would all but confirm their place in the knockout phase.
That said, their European away record is a clear weakness, with just one win from their last 13 UCL league or group-stage trips, even if that solitary success did come in their most recent away outing against Kairat.
Read our Ajax vs Olympiacos predictions and preview to find out, and remember to check our other UEFA Champions League predictions.
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Ajax vs Olympiacos prediction: Home team to claim a win
Key statistics
- Both teams have scored under 2.5 goals in their last five encounters.
- Ajax won their last meeting against Olympiacos.
- The host have not lost at home in their last four games.
Correct score prediction: Ajax 1-0 Olympiacos
We expect this encounter to be a closely fought battle that might eventually swing in favour of the home team. We predict a 1-0 victory for Ajax based on their recent form at home in their last five games.
We believe that the away team will be happy to concede possession and strike on the break, much like they did in their previous successful road trips. However, the Dutch giants will nick a win and claim all three points.
Pre-match odds and win probability: Ajax are slight favourites
- Home: 7/4 (2.75) – 36.4%
- Draw: 5/2 (3.50) – 28.6%
- Away: 7/5 (2.40) – 41.7%
Odds provided by Ladbrokes. Subject to change.
Going into this contest, the bookmakers give Olympiacos a narrow edge heading into this contest, with odds of 2.40 implying a 41.7% chance of an away victory.
The home side are priced at 2.75, translating to a 36.4% probability, while the draw is available at 3.50 (28.6%). Bookmakers expect a tight encounter, but slightly favour the visitors to come out on top.
Most recent head-to-head: Ajax edge recent meeting
The record between these two iconic European clubs reveals a very competitive relationship over the decades. In their last five competitive meetings, dating back to their first encounters in the early 1980s, the balance has been remarkably even.
The most famous modern meetings occurred during the 1998/99 Champions League group stage, where each team managed a clean-sheet victory on their respective home soil.
More recently, the two clubs have faced each other in a friendly game and earlier in Europe, with Ajax securing a narrow 1-0 win in their last meeting in Piraeus.
After reviewing our key Ajax vs Olympiacos predictions, be sure to visit our website for the remaining football betting tips today.
Ajax preview: Limited absences
Ajax have just one confirmed absentee, with Steven Berghuis ruled out as he continues his recovery from injury, slightly reducing John Heitinga’s attacking options.
Predicted lineup: Jaros (GK), Gaaei, Bouwman, Baas, Wijndal, Klaassen, Regeer, Mokio, Gloukh, Dolberg & Godts
Last five fixtures
- 24.01.26 – Ajax 2–0 FC Volendam
- 20.01.26 – Villarreal 1–2 Ajax
- 17.01.26 – Ajax 2–2 Go Ahead Eagles
- 14.01.26 – AZ Alkmaar 6–0 Ajax
- 11.01.26 – Telstar 2–3 Ajax
Olympiacos preview: Just one absentee in the team
Olympiacos will be without first-choice goalkeeper Alexandros Paschalakis, who remains sidelined through injury, forcing the visitors to adjust between the posts for this trip to Amsterdam.
Predicted lineup: Tzolakis (GK), Costinha, Retsos, Pirola, Ortega, Hezze, Mouzakitis, Rodinei, Chiquinho, Martins & Taremi
Last five fixtures
- 24.01.26 – Olympiacos 1–0 Volos
- 20.01.26 – Olympiacos 2–0 Bayer Leverkusen
- 14.01.26 – Olympiacos 0–2 PAOK
- 10.01.26 – Atromitos 0–2 Olympiacos
- 03.01.26 – Olympiacos 3–0 OFI Crete
Player to watch: Oscar Gloukh
Oscar Gloukh is the player to watch for the home side as he has become the creative heartbeat of the team in recent weeks. The young Israeli midfielder has recorded three goals in the Champions League this season.
He demonstrated his quality in the recent victory over Villarreal by controlling the tempo of the game and providing the decisive pass for the winning goal. His ability to operate between the lines and find pockets of space will be the primary threat that the Olympiacos defenders must address.