Head-to-Head
Panathinaikos and Viktoria Plzen have only played once before, a 0-0 draw in Athens in the Europa League league phase in December 2025.
Panathinaikos
- Panathinaikos are in good form, coming off consecutive victories including a 1-0 derby win away at Olympiacos.
- followed by a 3-0 home win over Kifisia.
Viktoria Plzen
Viktoria Plzen are also in excellent form, unbeaten in their last five matches (2 wins, 3 draws) after a 1-0 away win at Basel in the Europa League and a 2-1 win at Sigma Olomouc in the First League.
- Rafael Benítez has a lot of European experience as a club manager and is known for his tactical discipline and defensive structure.
- Martin Hyský’s Plzeň have been a model of defensive solidity in Europe, navigating the Europa League league phase unbeaten, and they have conceded only 1 goal in their last 3 Europa League matches.
- The Czechs’ defensive organisation and discipline have been key to their progress through the Europa League so far and they will look to remain solid and hit Panathinaikos on the break on Thursday.
Panathinaikos
- Anass Zaroury will be Panathinaikos’ main threat, having scored a Europa League hat-trick and being a regular threat to score goals throughout the competition.
- Karol Świderski provides a reliable finisher up front for Panathinaikos and Tetê provides the creativity and spark from midfield and wide areas, where his ability to create assists and play through the middle can help unlock defences.
Viktoria Plzeň
- Viktoria Plzeň are a compact side that press well and have the quality in attack to hurt teams on the counter-attack.
- Rafiu Durosinmi leads the line and provides Plzeň’s biggest goal threat.
- Prince Kwabena Adu and Matej Vydra provide a bit of experience and hold-up play in the number 10 role.
- Amar Memić, Tomáš Ladra and Cheick Souaré should provide enough width and creativity so that Plzeň can attack down both flanks and through the center when they are on the ball.
Betting Insights
The hosts are priced at 2.16 to win, Plzeň are at 3.5 and a draw at 3.1 but the Under 2.5 goals market at 1.65 looks a better bet to me with Benítez’s patience against Hyský’s aggression creating a bit of a chess match in Greece.
Prediction
Panathinaikos have been solid in their recent games with draws against Roma, Atromitos and Ferencváros, and so I think they have the structure to edge a tight match and a 1-0 Panathinaikos win or a 0-0 or 1-1 draw looks the most likely outcome for the Greeks.
