Panathinaikos renew acquaintances with Viktoria Plzen as both sides meet in Athens for the first leg of their Europa League knockout playoff tie on Thursday.
The pair previously crossed paths during the league phase on matchday six, in what was the maiden competitive meeting between the two clubs.
Our Panathinaikos vs Viktoria Plzen prediction provides a clear outlook on the contest, alongside additional Europa League betting tips.
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Panathinaikos vs Viktoria Plzen prediction: Tight encounter on the cards
Key stats
- Only one team has scored in nine of Panathinaikos’ last 12 matches.
- The Shamrock have netted more than once in just one of their last eight outings.
- Plzen did not concede more than one goal in any of their eight league-phase games.
- Seven of Panathinaikos’ last eight fixtures have produced under 2.5 goals.
Correct score prediction: Panathinaikos 1–0 Plzen
Panathinaikos’ continental campaign took a positive turn following the appointment of Rafael Benitez in October, and they secured passage to the playoffs by going unbeaten in their final five league-phase fixtures, although each of the last three ended level.
As such, some degree of resilience is expected from the hosts on Thursday, even if they have looked blunt in the final third of late, with their most recent outing ending in a 1–1 draw against AEL Larissa in the Super League.
That makes this a finely balanced contest, especially against a stubborn Plzen side that boasted the best defensive record in the league phase, conceding just three goals across eight matches.
The Czech outfit were also the only team to remain unbeaten during that stage and arrive with momentum after winning each of their last four games, including a 2–1 success at Sigma Olomouc at the weekend.
Despite that, the hosts may just edge a narrow victory with the backing of the Athens crowd, with a solitary goal likely to separate the sides given the potentially cagey nature of the clash.
Pre-match odds and win probability: Hosts slight favourites
- HOME: 13/10 (2.30) – 43.5%
- DRAW: 11/5 (3.20) – 31.3%
- AWAY: 21/10 (3.10) – 32.3%
*Odds subject to change.
The odds suggest both sides carry a realistic chance of a positive outcome, although Panathinaikos hold a slight edge with a 43.5% implied probability of victory, compared to Plzen’s 32.3%, while the draw sits at 31.3%.
Our hot tip — Panathinaikos win or draw & under 3.5 goals — offers value at 8/11 (1.73).
Most recent H2H: Stalemate in Marousi
The only previous meeting between the sides came during the league phase in Marousi, an encounter that ended goalless as Panathinaikos failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage.
Panathinaikos preview: A host of absentees
Panathinaikos are contending with several injury concerns, with Filip Djuricic, Cyriel Dessers, Facundo Pellistri, Pedro Chirivella and Moussa Sissoko all ruled out.
Giannis Kotsiras has missed the last two matches and may remain sidelined, while Sverrir Ingi Ingason is also a doubt after sitting out the previous fixture.
Predicted XI: Lafont (GK), Katris, Jedvaj, Palmer-Brown, Calabria, Cerin, Bakasetas, Hernandez, Taborda, Andino & Tetteh
Panathinaikos’ last five results
- 15/02/26: Panathinaikos 1–1 AEL Larissa (Super League)
- 11/02/26: PAOK 2–0 Panathinaikos (Greek Cup)
- 08/02/26: Olympiacos Piraeus 0–1 Panathinaikos (Super League)
- 04/02/26: Panathinaikos 0–1 PAOK (Greek Cup)
- 01/02/26: Panathinaikos 3–0 Kifisia (Super League)
Plzen preview: Key attacker doubtful
Striker Salim Lawal was forced off last time out and remains a fitness concern, while Daniel Vasulin is also doubtful after his weekend omission.
Jan Paluska is still sidelined, and winter arrivals Vaclav Mika and Viktor Baier are yet to feature due to injury setbacks.
Predicted XI: Wiegele (GK), Memic, Krcik, Jemelka, Doski, Cerv, Hrosovsky, Souare, Ladra, Visinsky & Vydra
Plzen’s last five results
- 14/02/26: Sigma Olomouc 1–2 Plzen (Czech Liga)
- 08/02/26: Plzen 3–1 Liberec (Czech Liga)
- 01/02/26: Karvina 0–2 Plzen (Czech Liga)
- 29/01/26: Basel 0–1 Plzen (Europa League)
- 22/01/26: Plzen 1–1 FC Porto (Europa League)
Player to watch: Vicente Taborda
Panathinaikos midfielder Vicente Taborda has scored in three of his last six appearances, including in the final round of the league phase, and could again prove decisive on the continental stage.