Olympiacos face Ajax tonight, Jan. 28, at 10:00 pm (local time), in Amsterdam, in the eighth and final matchday of the Champions League League Phase. Greek fans will be able to follow the Reds’ big European night live on MEGA Channel.
The clash is a do-or-die affair for both sides. After their landmark victory over Bayern Munich, Olympiacos sit on eight points in 24th place. A win in Amsterdam would secure their presence in Friday’s (Jan. 30) draw for the intermediate knockout round.
Reaching 11 points guarantees qualification and could also deliver a favorable position in the final League Phase standings. Defeat, however, would mean certain elimination from Europe.
The big question is what happens in the event of a draw. In that scenario, qualification would depend on a combination of results from other matches involving Olympiacos’ direct rivals, with goal difference — the first tiebreaker — playing a crucial role.
On the other side, Ajax also have no margin for error. Only a win keeps their hopes alive, as a draw against the Piraeus side would leave them on seven points and out of contention.
Currently on six points are Union Saint-Gilloise (goal difference -10, hosting Atalanta), Benfica (-4, hosting Real Madrid), Bodø/Glimt (-2, away to Atlético Madrid), and Pafos (-6, hosting Slavia Prague), all of whom remain part of the tight qualification race.
