Panathinaikos vs HJK prediction: EUROPE: Conference League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-11-27 17:45.
[p]Panathinaikos are still searching for their first-ever UEFA Conference League main draw win after taking just one point from a possible nine (D1, L2) in the competition so far this campaign despite a mid-season change of management. The Greek outfit conceded six goals in those two defeats, including two on Rui Vitória’s Conference League debut as Panathinaikos boss, but with a perfect Greek Super League record (W3) under his leadership, they should at least head into this fixture at home to HJK Helsinki with some confidence. [/p]
[p]Immediately after half-time is when Panathinaikos tend to switch off, as they have let in at least one goal between the 45th minute and the one-hour mark in each of their three league phase games to date. But Panathinaikos themselves are regularly on the scoresheet, finding the net in eight of their last nine matches across all competitions (W4, D3, L2), which often leads to action at both ends. [/p]
[p]HJK are doing marginally better in the Conference League than their upcoming hosts, as they find themselves on three points (W1, L2) and outside the top-24 after losing what manager Toni Korkeakunnas described as a “completely winnable” fixture at home to Olimpija Ljubljana (L 2-0). The Finnish side don’t have good memories of their only previous meetings with Greek opposition, as they lost 3-2 and 4-2 to PAOK en route to exiting this competition at the group stage last season. [/p]
[p]The fact that their domestic campaign is over means that the chances of HJK successfully navigating a European group stage/league phase for the first time in their history will be challenging. Even some entertainment for the travelling faithful might be in short supply as HJK managed only two goals across their last seven competitive matches, while Toni Korkeakunnas’ men haven’t scored inside 30 minutes in their last eight competitive matches (W1, D2, L5). [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Filip Ɖuričić has certainly found his shooting boots recently, opening the scoring in all three of his competitive appearances for Panathinaikos this month. Also looking to find the net will be HJK’s Scottish striker Lee Erwin, who has scored ten goals in 20 games since joining the club, including four crucial strikes in Conference League qualifying. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: None of HJK’s last six competitive matches saw both teams score on the day. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Alex Bowmer[/i][/p]