Shakhtar Donetsk will host Panathinaikos in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League (UEL) third qualifying round clash on Thursday night. Both teams drew 0-0 in the first leg in Greece, so the tie is very much in the balance.
The winner over both legs will advance into the play-offs to compete for a place in the league phase of the competition, while the loser will be demoted to the UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) play-offs. Nonetheless, fans will be hoping for goals in the second leg after the first failed to produce any.
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Shakhtar Donetsk vs Panathinaikos prediction: Hosts to seal place in play-offs?
Key stats
- Shakhtar are unbeaten in all competitions since April.
- Panathinaikos are winless in three games in total in all competitions.
- Panathinaikos have scored just one goal across those three matches.
Correct score prediction: Shakhtar Donetsk 2-0 Panathinaikos
Given their home advantage and the fact that they are on a phenomenal unbeaten run, we are backing Shakhtar to emerge with the win that they need here in order to progress into the next round. The Ukrainian side have also kept a total of three clean sheets in their last four matches in all competitions, so could also keep Panathinaikos out at the other end.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Shakhtar strong favourites with bookmakers
- HOME: 8/11 (1.73) – 57.9%
- DRAW: 27/10 (3.70) – 27.0%
- AWAY: 18/5 (4.60) – 21.7%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
As shown by the implied probabilities, Shakhtar are strong favourites with bookmakers to get the crucial win that they need on home turf. A draw in normal time can be backed at 27%, while a Panathinaikos victory away from home is rated at just under 22%.
Also, feel free to check out our dedicated Football Betting Tips Today page.
Most recent H2Hs: First leg was maiden meeting
The first leg of this tie was the first time that these two teams ever faced off against each other in a competitive outing. It finished in a 0-0 draw, so hopefully there will be goals in the second leg.
Shakhtar Donetsk preview: No fresh concerns in squad
Shakhtar have no fresh injury concerns or suspensions to report heading into the second leg, so could name a similar if not the same starting XI. Mykola Matviyenko, Valeriy Bondar and Marlon Gomes are among the names that are pushing for a start for the hosts.
Predicted lineup: Riznyk (GK), Pedrinho, Bondar, Matviyenko, Tobias, Gomes, Newerton, Sudakov, Bondarenko, Alisson & Elias
Ukraine Vyscha Liga 09/05/25
D
FC Zorya Lugansk
0
Shakhtar Donetsk
0
Ukraine Vyscha Liga 03/05/25
W
Chernomorets Odessa
0
Shakhtar Donetsk
3
Ukraine Vyscha Liga 27/04/25
D
Dynamo Kiev
2
Shakhtar Donetsk
2
Ukraine Cup 23/04/25
W
Polissya Zhytomyr
0
Shakhtar Donetsk
1
Ukraine Vyscha Liga 19/04/25
L
Kolos Kovalivka
4
Shakhtar Donetsk
2
Panathinaikos preview: Vagiannidis to return from suspension
Georgios Vagiannidis is expected to return to the starting XI after serving his red card suspension. Bartlomiej Drągowski, Erik Palmer-Brown and Ahmed Touba are among the other names that are likely to start for Panathinaikos.
Predicted lineup: Dragowski (GK), Vagiannidis, Palmer-Brown, Touba, Kyriakopoulos, Chirivella, Maksimovic, Pellistri, Tete, Djuricic & Ioannidis
Greece Super League 1 11/05/25
L
Olympiakos
1
Panathinaikos
0
Greece Super League 1 04/05/25
W
AEK Athens
1
Panathinaikos
2
Greece Super League 1 27/04/25
L
PAOK Salonika
2
Panathinaikos
1
Greece Super League 1 13/04/25
W
PAOK Salonika
1
Panathinaikos
3
Greece Super League 1 06/04/25
W
AEK Athens
1
Panathinaikos
3
Player to watch: Kaua Elias
Kaua Elias has been key to Shakhtar getting as far as they have in qualifying, scoring a total of four goals so far. The 19-year-old is just one of a number of new talents to have emerged in the Ukrainian side over the years, and will certainly catch the eye on the pitch.