Panathinaikos vs Villarreal prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2023-09-20 16:45.
Hopes were high for a UEFA Champions League return for Panathinaikos after defeating Marseille in qualifying, but a stumble against Braga in the play-off consigned them to a UEFA Europa League (UEL) group stage appearance instead. That’s in no way a negative, as the 2022/23 Greek Super League runners up haven’t featured in a European group stage since finishing rock-bottom in the UEL back in 2016/17.
A perfect start to their new league campaign, in which the hosts have scored nine goals without conceding (W3), may boost hopes ahead of this clash, although they enter as considerable outsiders against the 2020/21 UEL winners, Villarreal. That status is highlighted by the Greens’ prior European record against Spanish opposition (W3, D7, L19), which also includes a meagre 21% win-rate at home (W3, D6, L5).
Looking to put a further dent in that record are Villarreal, who went on to reach the Champions League semi-final after winning their first major European silverware in this competition back in 2020/21. They’ve since regressed on the continental stage after a round of 16 exit in the UEFA Europa Conference League last term, but hopes are high after winning their first game under new boss Pacheta at the weekend.
At the very least, a positive start is expected if Villarreal’s near-faultless 15 match UEL unbeaten run is anything to go by (W13, D2). Combine that with the Yellow Submarine’s five consecutive clean sheets in UEL away action as part of an imperious run of form going back to the beginning of the 2018/19 campaign (W7, D5, L1) and it’s easy to see why they’re considered favourites here.
Players to watch: Panathinaikos star Bernard has already bettered his league tally from last season with three goals in as many games (G3, A1), but he hasn’t scored in four personal UEL meetings with Spanish opponents. Trying to outscore him is Villarreal’s Gerard Moreno, the veteran forward has hit the team opener in both of their competitive wins this season.
Hot streak: Both teams scored before half-time in each of Villarreal’s last three matches.