Panathinaikos will look to advance to the quarter-finals of a UEFA competition for the first time since the 2002/03 season when they welcome Real Betis to Spiros Louis Olympic Stadium on Thursday.
The hosts have been in sensational form, stringing together a three-game winning streak and a seven-match unbeaten run across all competitions.
Real Betis, meanwhile, will hope to return to winning ways after failing to win any of their last three games.
Read our Panathinaikos vs Real Betis prediction, preview and betting tips with odds from bet365. You can also check out our Today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
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Panathinaikos vs Real Betis key stats
- Six of Panathinaikos’ last seven matches produced goals at both ends.
- Panathinaikos have led at the half-time break in five consecutive games.
- Real Betis’ last five fixtures have all gone above the 4.5-card threshold.
Panathinaikos vs Real Betis preview: Can depleted hosts hold their own?
| Panathinaikos | vs | Real Betis |
|---|---|---|
| 4th (Super League) | Position | 5th (La Liga) |
| 45 | Points | 43 |
| 42 | Goals For | 42 |
| 25 | Goals Against | 34 |
| 8 | Clean Sheets | 8 |
| 4th | Home Rank | 6th |
| 4th | Away Rank | 5th |
Panathinaikos advanced to the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League after a tightly-contested playoff tie with Viktoria Plzen.
After both legs ended in stalemates, the Greek Super League giants managed to go through on penalties.
Panathinaikos’ opponents finished with 10 men in three of their last five UEFA Europa League games.
Rafa Benitez will be unable to call on three suspended players for this game, including Anastasios Bakasetas, Javier Hernandez, and Ahmed Touba, while Manolis Siopis (injured) and Davide Calabria are each a booking away from missing the second leg of this tie.
On the injury front for the hosts, the former Liverpool manager will also have seven players ruled out, including Cyriel Dessers, Erik Palmer-Brown, Sverrir Ingi Ingason, Manolis Siopis, Giannis Kotsiras, Pedro Chirivella, and Moussa Sissoko.
Panathinaikos’ last five UEFA Europa League matches ended in stalemates.
Unlike their hosts, Real Betis were one of the best teams in the league phase and did not have to go through the playoff round.
Manuel Pellegrini's troops are not particularly brimming with confidence ahead of this trip, as they suffered a 2-0 defeat against Getafe last weekend and are without a win in three consecutive matches.
Real Betis are still missing a few stars due to injury, with Isco Alarcon, Giovani Lo Celso, Sofyan Amrabat, and Antony definitely ruled out of this trip.
While the visitors have no one suspended for this encounter, Aitor Ruibal and Valentin Gomez are walking on tightropes, as both players will try to avoid a booking here in order not to miss the second leg at home.
Panathinaikos vs Real Betis form guide & betting tips
| Panathinaikos | vs | Real Betis |
|---|---|---|
| W-W-W-W-W | Form | W-W-D-D-L |
| 15 | Points | 8 |
| 1st | Form Table | 10th |
| 14 | Goals For | 6 |
| 4 | Goals Against | 6 |
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Whispers Predicts: Panathinaikos 2-2 Real Betis
Despite their recent struggles, Real Betis are the bookies’ favourites with bet365 and can be backed at 2.10.
Given that Panathinaikos are unbeaten in seven consecutive games however, we believe the Super League side will hold their own at home.
This should also be a high-scoring affair, taking into account that Panathinaikos have scored at least three goals in each of their last three matches.
With Betis having scored at least two goals in four of their last five UEFA Europa League fixtures, a 2-2 draw seems probable.
> BTTS - Yes at 2.05 | Likelihood: Probable
> Over 2.5 goals at 2.35 | Likelihood: Probable
> Match result - Draw at 3.38 | Likelihood: Possible
> Draw & BTTS - Yes at 4.70 | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score: 2-2 at 17.50 | Likelihood: Outsider