Panathinaikos vs Rennes prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2023-10-25 19:00.
Panathinaikos are the early leaders in UEFA Europa League (UEL) Group F and the only team in the section to have made an unbeaten start to the campaign (W1, D1). Their 2-0 win against Villarreal was followed up by a 0-0 draw away to Maccabi Haifa, before Ivan JovanoviÄâs side then secured an emphatic 5-0 domestic victory over Atromitos. The chance to add to that growing momentum was halted on Sunday, as their clash with rivals Olympiacos was abandoned at 1-1 after a player was hit by a firework.
They will now switch attention back to European matters aware that the ongoing conflict in Israel could impact Maccabi Haifaâs future in the competition, with their game against Villarreal originally planned for Thursday now rescheduled for December. With those two sides not playing this week, Panathinaikos could steal a march in the group as the Athenians bid to reach the UEL knockout stage for the first time since 2009/10, having failed in three subsequent attempts.
Opponents Rennes (W1, L1) are one of two sides sitting just one point below the early leaders. Their 1-0 reverse at Villarreal on matchday two was another contest marred by controversy as the Ligue 1 outfit released a statement soon after the final supporters condemning the treatment of their supporters by Spanish police forces. Itâs possible that altercation had a wider impact on the pitch as the loss has sparked a three-match losing run in all competitions for the Bretons – their worst such streak since five defeats on the trot back in March 2021.
Despite their recent wobble, Bruno GĂ©nĂ©sio's men have proved to be strong travellers on the European stage, with their loss in Spain earlier this month their first in seven UEFA group-stage encounters (W5, D1). To build on that record, GĂ©nĂ©sio really needs to rectify the blunt nature of his teamâs attacking performances on the road this season, with Rennes having managed only two goals in five winless away outings (D3, L2).
Players to watch: With three goals, one assist and two yellow cards in his last six Panathinaikos appearances, expect midfielder Filip ÄuriÄiÄ to be in the thick of the action again. Martin Terrier was Rennes' top scorer in this competition last term (G3) and will surely be out to make amends for his missed penalty in second-half stoppage time against Villarreal.
Hot stat: Panathinaikos have lost just one of their six previous home matches against Ligue 1 clubs (W4, D1).