The UEFA Champions League 2025/2026 League Phase brings a classic European contest to the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium as Olympiacos hosts Real Madrid. Scheduled for Wednesday, November 26, 2025, this Matchday 5 fixture is crucial for both clubs in their pursuit of the knockout stages. Real Madrid, under manager Xabi Alonso, enters the match in a strong position, sitting in 7th position with 9 points from four matches. Los Merengues are three points shy of the leading trio and a win would greatly boost their bid for a top-eight seeding.
Olympiacos, led by José Luis Mendilibar, has endured a tough campaign, occupying 31st position with a modest 2 points. The Greek champions are under immense pressure to secure their first victory in the competition to avoid an early European exit. This high-stakes clash pits Real Madrid’s formidable Champions League pedigree and offensive talent against Olympiacos’s exceptional domestic form and fierce home atmosphere, promising a passionate and challenging encounter.
Match Details
This Wednesday night encounter is a key fixture for Real Madrid’s seeding aspirations and a desperate fight for survival for the Greek hosts.
| Detail | Information |
| Competition | UEFA Champions League |
| Phase | League Phase – Matchday 5 |
| Date | Wednesday, November 26, 2025 |
| Kick-off | 8:00 PM GMT (10:00 PM Local Time / 9:00 PM CET) |
| Venue | Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus, Greece |
Team Form and Analysis for Olympiacos
Champions League Woes vs Domestic Dominance
Olympiacos currently holds 31st position in the Champions League League Phase standings with 2 points, having recorded two draws and two losses.
The Greek champions have struggled to convert their domestic dominance onto the European stage. Their campaign has included a heavy 6-1 away defeat to Barcelona and a frustrating 1-1 home draw with PSV Eindhoven on Matchday 4, where they conceded a late equaliser. However, their domestic form is exceptional; they currently top the Greek Super League table and enter the match on the back of an emphatic 3-0 home victory over Atromitos, showcasing their high level of confidence and goal-scoring form at home. Olympiacos’s strategy, heavily influenced by Mendilibar, will be to utilize their high-pressure game and aggressive, intense style to disrupt Real Madrid’s midfield play and rely on the fervent home support to create an intimidating atmosphere. While they will be without defender Giulian Biancone through suspension, they possess key attacking threats.
Key Player: Ayoub El Kaabi
Striker Ayoub El Kaabi is the primary source of goals for Olympiacos and the club’s top goalscorer across all competitions this season with ten goals. The Moroccan international is a proven threat in the box and is the sole player to have scored for the Greek side in the Champions League League Phase so far this term. El Kaabi’s predatory instincts, combined with his high work rate, make him the focal point of their attack. His ability to capitalize on any defensive errors or half-chances created from the high press will be absolutely vital for Olympiacos to breach the organized defense of Real Madrid.
Team Form and Analysis for Real Madrid
Champions League Efficiency and Recent Domestic Stalls
Real Madrid currently occupies 7th position in the Champions League League Phase standings with 9 points from four matches, a record of three wins and one loss.
Los Merengues have been highly efficient in the Champions League, securing three victories with a strong goal difference of $\mathbf{+6}$ (eight goals scored, two conceded). Their only loss was a narrow 1-0 away defeat to Liverpool on Matchday 4. However, Real Madrid’s domestic form has been less convincing recently, with the side recording two consecutive draws in La Liga, including a recent 2-2 result against Elche. This recent dip in form means manager Xabi Alonso will demand a sharp, focused performance to regain momentum. Historically, Real Madrid has struggled on the road in Piraeus, failing to win in any of their four previous visits (three draws, one loss). Their strategy will be to control possession through the midfield, utilize the creative threat of their star forwards, and maintain their excellent Champions League defensive record. They are without defenders David Alaba and Dani Carvajal due to injury.
Key Player: Kylian Mbappé
Forward Kylian Mbappé has had an explosive start to the Champions League campaign with his new club, leading Real Madrid’s scoring charts in the competition with an impressive five goals in four matches. The French World Cup winner’s blistering pace, exceptional dribbling, and clinical finishing make him the key threat in a star-studded attack. Mbappé’s ability to create chances from wide areas and his clinical performance in front of goal will be essential for breaking down the high-energy, packed defense of Olympiacos. As the top goalscorer for the club overall this season, his influence is undeniable and his duel with the Olympiacos defense will be crucial.
Head-to-Head Record between the Teams
The two teams share a significant, if infrequent, history in the Champions League, with Real Madrid holding the overall advantage.
| Metric | Olympiacos Wins | Draws | Real Madrid Wins |
| Total Competitive Matches | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Last Champions League Meeting (Nov 2007) | Olympiacos 0-0 Real Madrid (H) | ||
| Real Madrid Away Record in Piraeus | W0, D3, L1 (Last 4 games) |
The two clubs have met eight times previously, all in the Champions League Group Stage. Real Madrid holds the upper hand with four victories to Olympiacos’s one, alongside three draws. Crucially, all four of Real Madrid’s victories have come at the Santiago Bernabéu. In Greece, Real Madrid has never beaten Olympiacos in four attempts, with their last meeting in Piraeus ending in a 0-0 draw in November 2007, and their last loss coming in December 2005 (2-1). Los Merengues will be chasing their first-ever victory against Olympiacos on Greek soil.
Players to Watch
Olympiacos
- Daniel Podence (Winger): The Portuguese winger has been an electric presence on the flank, using his pace and low center of gravity to create chances. His direct running will be key to exploiting any space behind Real Madrid’s advanced full-backs.
- Santiago Hezze (Central Midfielder): The Argentine midfielder provides crucial tenacity and defensive cover in the middle of the park. His ball-winning skills and energy will be vital for disrupting Real Madrid’s possession game and protecting the back four.
Real Madrid
- Jude Bellingham (Midfielder): The English star has maintained his high level of performance this season, contributing both goals and assists from midfield. His ability to link defense and attack and his knack for late runs into the box make him a constant threat.
- Trent Alexander-Arnold (Right-Back): The English right-back, known for his attacking prowess and superb passing range, will be essential for breaking down the deep-lying Olympiacos defense with accurate crosses and through balls from the right flank.
Prediction
This fixture presents a significant challenge for Real Madrid, who traditionally struggle to win in Piraeus. Olympiacos’s defensive organization and high-energy pressing, combined with the hostile atmosphere of the Karaiskakis Stadium, will make life difficult for the visitors. However, the gulf in individual quality, particularly in attack with Mbappé and Bellingham, gives Real Madrid a critical advantage. While Olympiacos’s domestic form is excellent, their European struggles suggest they will find it hard to hold off one of Europe’s top attacks for 90 minutes. Real Madrid is likely to make history by finally securing their first win in Greece, though it will be a narrow, hard-fought affair.
Score Prediction: Olympiacos 1-2 Real Madrid
Live Stream and TV Broadcast Information
This UEFA Champions League League Phase fixture is scheduled for broadcast across various platforms globally.
The match kicks off on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at 8:00 PM GMT (9:00 PM CET).
In the United Kingdom (UK), the match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 5 and a live stream will be available on Discovery+.
In the United States (US), the match will be available to watch and stream live on Paramount+ and ViX.
In Greece, the match will be broadcast live on Cosmote Sport.
Check local TV and streaming listings in other regions, as the match will be shown across the UEFA Champions League’s international broadcast partners globally.
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