Panathinaikos vs Plzen prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – League phase betting tips on match 2025-12-10 20:00.
[p]Panathinaikos boss Rafael BenĂtez puts a proud UEFA Europa League (UEL) record on the line when his side welcome Viktoria PlzeĆ to Athens.[/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]Panathinaikosâ league phase campaign has been topsy-turvy, with an emphatic 4-1 win on matchday one over Young Boys followed by back-to-back defeats, before narrow victories over Malmö and Sturm Graz improved the mood greatly among Rafael BenĂtezâs squad. Since the Spaniard was appointed in late October, the Greek giants have won seven of their ten games (D1, L2), and a strong historical omen hints at that run strengthening here. BenĂtez hasnât been defeated in any of his 18 UEL home encounters in the dugout (W14, D4) – the longest such main-draw run of any manager without ever losing.  [/p]
[p]PlzeĆ are above Panathinaikos on goal difference in the league phase table and are one of just four teams yet to taste defeat in the UEL this season ahead of the upcoming matchday (W2, D3). One win in their last six games across all competitions (D3, L2) is hardly the kind of form youâd expect of a side pushing for a top-eight finish in the UEL, and amid that stuttering run of form has been a pair of 0-0 home draws in Europe. History beckons on the road though, as the Czech side could secure back-to-back UEL main-draw away wins for the first time in the clubâs history following a momentous 2-1 triumph over Roma at the Stadio Olimpico in October.[/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]These two sides have never met before, but Panathinaikos have an impressive record against Czech clubs, winning nine of their 15 such matches (D3, L3), while PlzeĆ have never beaten a Greek opponent (D2, L1). [/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]Four of Panathinaikosâ five league phase games this term saw both teams score.[/p]
[p]Panathinaikos scored first in all five of their league phase matches this season.[/p]
[p]PlzeĆ have conceded a league phase-low two goals this season.[/p]
[p]PlzeĆ have scored five of their six league phase goals this season before half-time.[/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]Panathinaikos captain Tasos Bakasetas has scored four goals in his last six games for club or country, as well as receiving four yellow cards and a red in that time! Cheick SouarĂ© has not been quite as all-action for PlzeĆ, but he did score their last away goal both domestically and in Europe – his only two strikes of the campaign to date. [/p]
[p]Neither side seem to have any fresh absentees. [/p]
[p]For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.[/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]BenĂtezâs UEL home record could be cancelled out by PlzeĆâs strong recent results in this competition, so weâre backing a draw here. [/p]
[p][i]Author: Alex Bowmer[/i][/p]