Matchday three of the 2025-26 Europa League group phase sees Feyenoord welcome Panathinaikos to De Kuip on Thursday evening.
The hosts are in search of a first win having lost their opening two fixtures, while the visitors will head to Rotterdam seeking to get themselves back on track on the continental front after suffering a 2-1 defeat in their most recent European outing.
Contents
- 1 Feyenoord vs Panathinaikos prediction: De Stadionclub to kickstart Europa League journey at the third time of asking
- 2 Most recent H2Hs: First competitive matchup on the horizon
- 3 Feyenoord preview: Dutch giants continue to march on despite injuries
- 4 Panathinaikos preview: Super League side almost down to bare bones
- 5 Player to watch – Ayase Ueda
Feyenoord vs Panathinaikos prediction: De Stadionclub to kickstart Europa League journey at the third time of asking
Key stats
- Feyenoord have scored 10 goals across their last two matches.
- Five of Panathinaikos' last six games have ended with both teams scoring, although the Greek outfit have opened the scoring on all but one occasion.
- Both Feyenoord and Panathinaikos have barely been involved in ill-tempered affairs, with four of their respective five matches yielding fewer than five bookings.
Correct score prediction: Feyenoord 2-1 Panathinaikos
Feyenoord's wobbly start to life in Europe this term will come as a surprise to many, given the stark contrast to their league campaign.
The home side cannot afford to come away empty-handed from a third Europa League game running, and we are backing them to emerge victorious when all is said and done here.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Hosts tipped to make home advantage count
- HOME: 3/5 (1.6) – 62.5%
- DRAW: 3/1 (4.00) – 25%
- AWAY: 17/4 (5.25) – 19%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Despite their struggles on the European stage so far, Feyenoord are huge favourites to get the job done on Thursday, as shown by their 62.5% win probability.
Robin van Persie's men will head into the game off the back of their most commanding display of the season against Heracles on Sunday, when they scored seven unanswered goals.
For Panathiniakos, a 19% win probability suggests a return to winning ways is unlikely after their 1-1 stalemate against Aris last time out.
For more from the upcoming matches, today’s free football betting tips look at some of the best picks.
Most recent H2Hs: First competitive matchup on the horizon
Thursday's clash will see Feyenoord and Panathinaikos go head-to-head for only the second time ever and the first in a competitive setup.
Panathinaikos ran out comfortable 3-0 winners in the previous meeting five years ago in a pre-season friendly.
Feyenoord preview: Dutch giants continue to march on despite injuries
Feyenoord have had a nasty injury list to contend with for large spells of the current campaign, but continue to get the job done, especially on the domestic front.
Thomas Beelen, Jakub Moder and Gernot Trauner are without an appearance for the hosts this term, while Malcolm Jeng and Quinten Timber are currently sidelined.
Predicted lineup: Wellenreuther(GK), Read, Ahmedhodzic, Watanabe, Bos, Steijn, Targhalline, Valente, Hadj Moussa, Ueda & Sauer
Feyenoord's last five matches:
- Heracles 0-7 Feyenoord (Eredivisie)
- Feyenoord 3-2 Utrecht (Eredivisie)
- Feyenoord 0-2 Aston Villa (Europa League)
- Groningen 0-1 Feyenoord (Eredivisie)
- Braga 1-0 Feyenoord (Europa League)
Panathinaikos preview: Super League side almost down to bare bones
Panathinaikos are set to be without as many as 11 players for their trip to Rotterdam, including ex-Feyenoord duo Cyriel Dessers and Tonny Vilhena.
Tin Jedvaj, Alexander Jeremejeff, Georgios Kyriopoulos, Daniel Mancini, Philipp Max, Georgios Nikas, Milos Pantovic, Facundo Pellistri and Renato Sanches are expected to miss out for the visitors.
Predicted lineup: Lafont(GK), Kyriakopoulos, Touba, Ingason, Calabria, Cerin, Chirivella, Zaroury, Bakasetas, Tete & Swiderski
Panathinaikos' last five matches:
- Aris 1-1 Panathinaikos (Super League)
- Panathinaikos 1-0 Atromitos (Super League)
- Panathinaikos 1-2 Go Ahead Eagles (Europa League)
- Panetolikos 1-2 Panathinaikos (Super League)
- Young Boys 1-4 Panathinaikos (Europa League)
Player to watch – Ayase Ueda
Following his first-half hat-trick against Heracles, Ueda has now netted in four consecutive outings for club and country, netting a combined seven times in that span.
Like his team, the Japanese international has not carried over his form in domestic matches onto the continental scene, but it looks to be only a matter of time.
Ueda is on a roll at the moment, and you would not bet against him delivering the goods once again here.