OFI vs Bayer Leverkusen 22 October 2026 Prediction

OFI enters this match on a three-game losing streak across all competitions. Bayer Leverkusen has won five straight, but OFI has already beaten a Bundesliga opponent, defeating Hoffenheim in its Europa League league-phase opener.

Clinical Finishing and Defensive Problems

OFI’s results have declined since its 2-0 home win over Hoffenheim. Christos Kontis’s side drew 2-2 with Asteras and lost 3-0 to AEK in domestic play, then fell 2-1 at Rennes. In France, OFI scored with its only shot on target despite generating just 0.06 xG. It then dropped deep to protect the lead, but Rennes scored twice in the final 15 minutes.

OFI followed that loss with a 4-3 defeat at Kalamata, dropping to seventh in the Greek Super League. It scored with all three of its shots on target but has now conceded 11 goals in four competitive matches. Through two Europa League games, OFI has allowed 14 shots on target. Goalkeeper Christogeorgos has helped limit the damage to two goals conceded.

Fountas, who scored against Rennes, came off at halftime with back discomfort and missed the Kalamata game. Kontis has regularly used the attacking midfielder in Europe, where he has scored three goals in four appearances, including qualifiers. His absence would leave OFI with fewer attacking options. Starting defender Sielis remains out. First-choice goalkeeper Christogeorgos is also questionable after injuring his neck against Kalamata, though tests found no serious damage.

Strong Form and Attacking Output

Leverkusen is unbeaten in seven competitive matches and has won five straight under manager Carles Martínez. It beat Lech Poznań 4-0 in its second Europa League league-phase game, leading 3-0 at halftime. Patrik Schick scored two of those first-half goals from the penalty spot. Leverkusen had a 10-3 edge in shots on target and led 5.16-0.50 in xG. Its 7.56 xG through two games is the highest total in the league phase.

Leverkusen then faced Freiburg, which had led the Bundesliga after five matchdays. After conceding first, Leverkusen came back to win 2-1. Maza and Schick each scored from the other’s assist. The pair has combined for 12 goals and five assists in competitive matches this season. Leverkusen sits fourth in the Bundesliga, one point behind Bayern Munich.

Terrier injured his hamstring against Lech and left in the first half. Martínez had planned to limit Schick’s minutes but brought him on as Terrier’s replacement. Terrier is expected to be out until December. Martínez could rotate again, with Vázquez, Badé, Tella and Tillman candidates to start. With Terrier and Kofane injured and Boniface out of the squad, Schick may start up front.

OFI vs Bayer Leverkusen: Predicted Lineup

OFI (3-4-3): Lilo; Nikolaou, Pungouras, Krizmanić; Dickmann, Androutsos, Bouchalakis, Athanasiou; Apostolakis, Kodro, Nuss.

Unavailable or questionable: Sielis, Leya Iseka (injured); Christogeorgos, Fountas (questionable).

Manager: Christos Kontis.

Bayer Leverkusen (4-4-2): Flekken; Vázquez, Badé, Tapsoba, Gutiérrez; Tillman, García, Fernández, Tella; Schick, Maza.

Unavailable: Kofane, Doué, Culbreath, Ben Seghir, Terrier (injured); Eichhorn (ill); Boniface (not in the squad).

Manager: Carles Martínez.

Referee: Oleksii Derevinskyi (Ukraine).

Across his last seven European matches, Derevinskyi has averaged 3.71 yellow cards and 21.29 fouls per game. He has shown no red cards and awarded three penalties.

OFI vs Bayer Leverkusen Prediction: OFI Handicap +1.5

Main prediction: OFI can stay within a goal despite its recent losses. Kontis’s side beat Hoffenheim and held a lead against Rennes until the closing stages, conceding possession in both games. Leverkusen has won its first two league-phase matches, though two goals against Lech came from penalties and Celje scored an own goal in the other win. Martínez may also rotate with Bundesliga matches in mind. The pick is OFI +1.5 at 2.23.

Goals pick: OFI has conceded 11 goals in its last four matches but scored four times from four shots on target over the past two. Leverkusen has scored six goals in two Europa League games and leads the league phase with 7.56 xG. It has yet to concede in the competition, although Celje and Lech combined for six shots on target and 1.39 xG against it. Leverkusen has also conceded eight goals in three Bundesliga away games. Both teams to score at 1.85.