Viktoria Plzen vs Panathinaikos prediction, odds & betting tips – 26/02/2026

All square after the first leg, Viktoria Plzen will aim to book a spot in the last 16 of the Europa League when they take on Panathinaikos at Doosan Arena in Czechia on Thursday night in the second leg of their playoff tie.

View our Viktoria Plzen vs Panathinaikos predictions below.

Viktoria Plzen vs Panathinaikos prediction: Home side in red-hot form

Key stats

• Viktoria Plzen are undefeated in their last nine matches.
• Panathinaikos are undefeated in their last three matches.
• Four of Viktoria Plzen's last five matches went over the 4.5-card threshold.

Correct score prediction: Viktoria Plzen 1-0 Panathinaikos (Viktoria to win 3-2 on aggregate)

Viktoria are heading into this game on the back of a 0-0 draw against Sparta Prague in the domestic league, which extended their unbeaten home run to six matches.

After earning a dramatic 2-2 draw against Panathinaikos in the first leg, Plzen remained the only team in this season’s Europa League yet to taste defeat (W3 D6).

Plzen have kept 16 clean sheets in their last 22 Europa League matches. Five of the last six games for the visitors have ended with fewer than three goals, so we predict a narrow 1-0 win for the home side.

Pre-game odds and win probability: Plzen backed to win the tie

• HOME: 11/10 (2.1) – 47.6%
• DRAW: 23/10 (3.3) – 30.3%
• AWAY: 13/5 (3.6) – 27.8%

*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change

Viktoria have been in impressive form, and they are backed to win the second leg and progress to the knockout rounds. They are priced at 11/10 (2.1) with a 47.6% chance of winning.

Plzen have been consistently scoring in the first half, managing that feat in eight of their last 10 matches, and are backed to do so at 9/5 (2.8), with 35.7% chances of winning.

Don’t forget to check out more of our best betting tips and predictions after you’ve dissected our Viktoria Plzen vs Panathinaikos predictions.

Most recent H2Hs: No clear-cut favourites

The two sides have met each other for the second successive season. Last season, Viktoria drew 0-0 away from home. Panathinaikos will play at this stadium for the first time.

Viktoria Plzen preview: Home advantage

Despite selling Rafiu Durosinmi to Pisa during the winter transfer window, Viktoria have maintained their impressive form, especially at home.

Merchas Doski is unavailable for Viktoria Plzen on Thursday night after picking up a suspension due to the accumulation of yellow cards in the previous game.

Jan Paulska has not featured since the end of November due to injury, and he remains absent.

Predicted lineup: Wiegele (GK), Dweh, Spacil, Chalupa, Memic, Cerv, Hrosovsky, Visinsky, Souare, Ladra & Vydra

Last five matches

• 22/02/26: Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Sparta Prague (Czech First League)
• 19/02/26: Panathinaikos 2-2 Viktoria Plzen (UEFA Europa League)
• 14/02/26: Sigma Olomouc 1-2 Viktoria Plzen (Czech First League)
• 08/02/26: Viktoria Plzen 3-1 Slovan Liberec (Czech First League)
• 01/02/26: Karvina 0-2 Viktoria Plzen (Czech First League)

Panathinaikos preview: Can Rafa Benitez's side find a way to win?

Benitez is a vastly experienced manager who won the Champions League with Liverpool, and the Europa League trophies with Valencia and Chelsea.

They have lost only once in their last eight matches, but have won only three. The Greek club have lost their last three away major European knockout matches, but can change their history this time?

Predicted lineup: Lafont (GK), Ingason, Palmer-Brown, Touba, Calabria, Bakasetas, Sanches, Kyriakopoulos, Pantovic, Taborda & Tetteh

Last five matches

• 22/02/26: OFI Crete 0-2 Panathinaikos (Greek Super League)
• 19/02/26: Panathinaikos 2-2 Viktoria Plzen (UEFA Europa League)
• 15/02/26: Panathinaikos 1-1 AEL Larissa (Greek Super League)
• 11/02/26: PAOK 2-0 Panathinaikos (Greek Cup second leg; aggregate 3-0, PAOK advanced)
• 08/02/26: Olympiacos 0-1 Panathinaikos (Greek Super League)

Player to watch: Sampson Dweh

The 24-year-old defender initially joined Viktoria Plzen on loan from Vyskov and was later signed permanently.

The Liberian centre-back has particularly impressed in the Europa League this season, where he has started in eight games, and kept five clean sheets, making 3.8 tackles and 2.8 interceptions per game.

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