OFI Crete vs Bayer Leverkusen prediction: the Pankritio Stadium in Heraklion stages a giant mismatch on paper on Thursday 22 October 2026, as Bayer Leverkusen travel to Crete for a UEFA Europa League MD3 tie kicking off at 17:45 WAT.
Our OFI Crete vs Bayer Leverkusen prediction weighs up a home side who have lost three straight and sit 18th in the UEL table against visitors who have won five straight and sit second on six points with a +6 goal difference. The Greeks’ one bright spot is a 2-0 UEL win over Hoffenheim on MD1; the Germans’ warning sign is a 4-0 rout at Lech Poznan in which Patrik Schick scored twice.
OFI Crete vs Bayer Leverkusen Prediction — Match Preview
Leverkusen are clear favourites for Thursday’s clash in Heraklion. OFI’s bright MD1 win over Hoffenheim shows they can bite at home, but they have since lost three straight — including a 4-3 defeat to Kalamata on 18 October in which their defence shipped four goals. Leverkusen, by contrast, have won five straight in all competitions, scoring 12 in their last four, and their ruthless attack should have too much for the hosts. This is one of several Europa League MD3 ties we are previewing this week — read our Hoffenheim vs Lyon prediction, betting tips and team news too.
Team Recent Form
OFI — L-L-L-D-W (most recent first):
- 18 Oct: Kalamata 4-3 OFI
- 15 Oct: Rennes 2-1 OFI (UEL)
- 10 Oct: AEK Athens 3-0 OFI (Cantalapiedra sent off)
- 20 Sep: OFI 2-2 Asteras Tripolis
- 17 Sep: OFI 2-0 Hoffenheim (UEL)
Leverkusen — W-W-W-W-W (most recent first):
- 18 Oct: Leverkusen 2-1 Freiburg (came from behind)
- 15 Oct: Lech Poznan 0-4 Leverkusen (UEL, Schick 2)
- 10 Oct: Mainz 3-4 Leverkusen
- 20 Sep: Leverkusen 2-0 RB Leipzig
- 16 Sep: Leverkusen 2-0 NK Celje (UEL)
Key Stats
- Leverkusen have won five straight in all competitions.
- Leverkusen sit 2nd in the UEL table (+6 GD); OFI are 18th on three points.
- Their only previous meeting was a 1995 Intertoto Cup tie won by Leverkusen (score unverified — not found).
That form guide is exactly why our OFI Crete vs Bayer Leverkusen prediction is a comfortable away win.
0-3 — Leverkusen’s attack is in ruthless form and OFI’s defence just conceded four to Kalamata; a comfortable away win.
OFI Crete vs Bayer Leverkusen H2H
- The two clubs have only one previous meeting ever, won by Leverkusen in the 1995 Intertoto Cup.
- The score and exact date of that 1995 tie were not verified — not found.
- This is the first-ever meeting between OFI Crete and Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League.
- OFI’s 2-0 win over Hoffenheim on MD1 shows they can bite at home.
Pre Game Odds
The bookmakers’ prices for this OFI Crete vs Bayer Leverkusen prediction are:
- OFI win: not found — no OFI win price was quoted by a named bookmaker.
- Draw: not found — no draw price was quoted by a named bookmaker.
- Leverkusen win: 1.31 — 1xBet via ghanasoccernet.
- Leverkusen win: 1.25 — bettors.club.
- Over 2.5 goals: 1.40.
- Schick anytime scorer: 1.60 — FootballWhispers (bookmaker unnamed).
Team News OFI Crete
OFI team news for this OFI Crete vs Bayer Leverkusen prediction: Nikolaos Marinakis is out with a groin injury, Aaron Leya Iseka is out with a groin injury, and Christos Sielis is out with a hamstring injury.
Team News Bayer Leverkusen
Martin Terrier is out with a hamstring injury, Guela Doue is out with a muscle injury, Eliesse Ben Seghir is out with a muscle injury, and Christian Kofane is out with a muscle injury. Montrell Culbreath is a doubt with a foot problem, while Jonas Hofmann, Victor Boniface, Tim Oermann and Kennet Eichhorn are unavailable.
Possible lineups, per Sports Mole:
OFI possible lineup (3-4-3): Christogeorges; Nikolaou, Poungouras, Krizmanic; Dickmann, Androutsos, Bouchalakis, Athanasiou; Fountas, Kodro, Nuss.
Leverkusen possible lineup (4-2-3-1): Flekken; Quansah, Tapsoba, Medina, Gutierrez; Andrich, Garcia; Diaby, Maza, Moreira; Schick.
OFI Crete vs Bayer Leverkusen Betting Tips
Our OFI Crete vs Bayer Leverkusen prediction selections for the three main markets are:
Tip 1 — Result: Bayer Leverkusen win. Leverkusen have won five straight while OFI have lost three straight — the gulf in class should show in Crete.
Tip 2 — Over-Under 2.5: Over 2.5 goals. Leverkusen have scored 12 in their last four games and OFI just shipped four to Kalamata.
Tip 3 — BTTS Yes-No: No. Our prediction is a comfortable 0-3 away win for Leverkusen’s ruthless attack.
Verdict: our OFI Crete vs Bayer Leverkusen prediction is a comfortable away win — 0-3 — with Leverkusen covering the -1 handicap and the game going over 2.5 goals.
