Europa League qualifying continues on Thursday, with Panathinaikos dropping into the competition after a defeat to Rangers in the Champions League. It doesn’t get any easier for the Greeks, with Shakhtar Donetsk visiting the Athens Olympic Stadium this week.
Panathinaikos were runners up in Greece last season, enough to secure entry into the second qualifying round in Europe’s premier competition. However, a red card for Georgios Vagiannidis contributed to a 2-0 defeat at Ibrox, and Rui Vitoria’s side couldn’t overturn the deficit in the second leg in Athens last week, crashing out 3-1 on aggregate.
They’ll be hoping to be a bit sharper for this tie, as they bid to avoid dropping out of another European competition, with the losers set to transfer to the Conference League.
Shakhtar Donetsk will be determined to avoid that fate, and they were really impressive in the last round, crushing Turkish side Besiktas 6-2 on aggregate after two-goal victories in both legs.
Unlike their opponents, they have also started their domestic campaign, kicking off the Ukrainian Premier League with a 1-0 win away to FC Epitsentr Dunaivtsi on Sunday, although it did take a late goal from substitute Kaua Elias to force a breakthrough.
How the bookies view it: No clear favourite in Athens
This match couldn’t be more finely poised according to the bookies, with both sides priced at 7/5 to win the game according to Boylesports. You can also back the first leg to end in a draw at 13/5, with Shakhtar the favourites to advance over two legs.
Recent head-to-head: Clubs set for first meeting
These clubs have not previously met each other in European competition. Shakhtar have met Greek opponents on three occasions and remain unbeaten, beating PAOK 1-0 in 2005, while they drew twice against Olympiacos in the group stage of the 2006/07 Champions League.
Players to watch: Kevin on fire for Shakhtar
There’s no stopping Kevin right now as far as Shakhtar Donetsk are concerned. The Brazilian lit up their second qualifying round tie against Besiktas, with one goal in the first leg and two in the second leg. He’s sure to start on the left flank again in this game.
Predicted Lineups
Panathinaikos are missing winger Georgios Kyriopoulos as he continues his recovery from a cruciate ligament tear.
The visitors have a head injury concern over forward Lassina Traore, while midfielder Dmytro Kryskiv is also likely to miss out again.
Panathinaikos: Dragowski, Kyriakopoulos, Touba, Palmer-Brown, Vagiannidis, Maksimovic, Chirivella, Duricic, Bakasetas, Pellistri, Ioannidis.
Shakhtar Donetsk: Riznyk, Pedrinho, Matviyenko, Bondar, Konoplya, Gomes, Kevin, Sudakov, Ocheretko, Santana, Eguinaldo.
Anything else catch the eye?
Shakhtar are more than accustomed to playing European games outside of their own country, with even their home fixtures currently being played in Poland.
Their ability to go to Istanbul and beat Besiktas last month has to give them confidence heading into this tie and you can back Draw no bet – Shakhtar Donetsk to win at 10/11 here with Boylesports. Shakhtar to win and over 2.5 goals also looks good at 11/4 with PaddyPower.
You can also get odds of 6/10 with Boylesports for both teams to score, a winning bet in three of the last four Panathinaikos matches, including friendlies.
GambleAware