Panathinaikos vs Fiorentina prediction: EUROPE: Conference League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2025-03-05 17:45.
[p]Panathinaikos’ European journey this season has been far from straightforward, missing out on the top eight in the league phase of the UEFA Conference League by one point despite winning their last three games during that stage of the competition to get themselves in contention. The Greek outfit also had to come from behind to win their play-off tie against Vikingur Reykjavik, but having done so, they are now in the last 16 of a UEFA competition for the first time since the 2009/10 campaign.[/p]
[p]Rui Vitória’s side were in a brief rut in early February during which they suffered three consecutive competitive losses, but all three were on the road and they have since bounced back to win three of their last four (L1). Needing to make home advantage count in the first leg of this tie, Panathinaikos can take strength from a 14-game unbeaten run at the Olympic Stadium (W11, D3) where they have lost just three times this season (W15, D4)![/p]
[p]Fiorentina are the visitors on Thursday night, with Athens not holding fond memories for the Italian side who lost last season’s Conference League final against Olympiacos during their last visit to the Greek capital. Whilst this will be their inaugural meeting with Panathinaikos, the Lilies have won just one of their six previous H2Hs with Greek sides (D3, L2), with history not on their side here.[/p]
[p]As they continue their quest to reach a third successive final in the Conference League after finishing as runners-up in the previous two editions, Raffaele Palladino’s side automatically qualified for the last 16 by finishing third in the league phase (W4, D1, L1). The Serie A outfit come into Thursday’s game in poor shape though, winning just four of their last 14 games across all competitions (D3, L7).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Filip Mladenović has been booked 13 times across all competitions so far this season, with eight of those cards received in the second half. On the other hand, five of Robin Gosens’ nine goal involvements for Fiorentina to date this term (G4, A5) were recorded during or before the 35th minute.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Panathinaikos have won only six of their 22 H2Hs with Italian sides (D6, L10).[/p]
[p][i]Written by Ben Olawumi[/i][/p]