Panathinaikos vs Vikingur Reykjavik prediction: EUROPE: Conference League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2025-02-19 20:00.
[p]Panathinaikos won 2-1 on Sunday in the Greek Super League to end a three-game losing streak. That included a 2-1 loss to VĂkingur ReykjavĂk in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League knockout round play-off tie, bringing to a halt their run of three wins on the bounce in the competition, all of which were accompanied by a clean sheet. The late penalty in that defeat could prove to be more than a consolation though, as it gives the Greek side a platform to potentially reach the last 16 of a European competition for the first time since 2009/10.[/p]
[p]The hosts will feel confident of overturning the one-goal deficit on home soil, where they havenât lost a competitive match since late October (W9, D3), a run which includes seven wins in the last eight such games. Their league phase revival in this yearâs Conference League was also led by two home victories without conceding, and extending that sequence here would take the tie to extra time in the worst-case scenario. [/p]
[p]VĂkingur have already made their debut appearance in a major UEFA competition memorable by reaching the knockouts, celebrating that achievement in style in the first leg. They became the first Icelandic side to win a springtime European knockout match, somewhat making up for missing out on the league title to BreiĂ°ablik earlier in the season and with it, a chance to qualify for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League.[/p]
[p]A relative lack of top-tier opponents since then didnât affect VĂkingur in last Thursdayâs reverse, as they landed a first victory in four Conference League games (D2, L1). Playing away from home hasnât been kind to them though, as they are winless in their last four trips in this competition (D3, L1), failing to score in three of those encounters.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Filip ÄuriÄiÄ could look to make an early impact, as his last five goals have been match openers, with four arriving before the 20th minute. Nikolaj Hansen missed the first leg through suspension, and a goal here could lead to redemption given his four goals in this competition this term came in three VĂkingur wins. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Exactly one first-half goal has been scored in each of Panathinaikosâ seven Conference League games so far this season.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Sridhar B[/i][/p]