Shakhtar Donetsk and Panathinaikos square off in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League qualifier. The tie remains in the balance after both teams played out a 0-0 draw in the first meeting.
Shakhtar Donetsk’s overall form has been solid lately, and they head into this clash unbeaten in nine of the last 10 matches in all competitions. Arda Turan's men were held to a 3-3 draw at Karpaty Lviv in a Ukrainian Premier League clash last weekend, failing to win despite taking the lead three times.
Forced to play their European home games in Poland, Shakhtar Donetsk have made the best of the situation. They have won their last two matches in their adopted home, beating Ilves 6-0 before a 2-0 victory over Besiktas.
Panathinaikos will be disappointed to have left empty-handed in the first leg after creating a string of scoring opportunities. That result extends a recent poor run as they are winless in six of their last seven matches in all competitions.
The Greeks are also poor travellers and are winless in eight of their last 10 away matches in all competitions. Rui Vitoria's men have been beaten six times in that stretch, including a 2-0 defeat at Rangers in the second round of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers.
How the bookies view it: Shakhtar overwhelming favourites
Shakhtar Donetsk have been installed as overwhelming favourites among the bookies and are priced at 4/6 by BoyleSports to claim the win. A victory for Panathinaikos is valued at 7/2 while a draw is set at odds of 13/5.
Head to head: One previous meeting
Shakhtar Donetsk and Panathinaikos had never met prior to the 0-0 draw in the first leg.
Players to watch: Eyes on Elias
Elias has caught the eye for Shakhtar Donetsk in these qualifiers, scoring four times so far. Alongside Alisson, who has five goals in all competitions this term, both men can combine to provide over 1.5 goals – valued at 3/4 by BoyleSports.
Fotis Ioannidis led Panathinaikos with 11 goals in all competitions last season and will be keen to get off the mark this term. Filip Djuricic also carries a goal threat from midfield, and both men can help the visitors produce over 0.5 goals – set at odds of 8/15.
Probable line-ups:
Shakhtar Donetsk are likely to stick with Mykola Matviyenko and Valeriy Bondar in defence, with Marlon Gomes retaining his place in midfield. Elias and Alisson are expected to lead the line for the Ukrainians.
For Panathinaikos, Georgios Vagiannidis should return to the side after serving his red card suspension, while Bartlomiej Drągowski starts in goal. Erik Palmer-Brown and Ahmed Touba are expected in central defence while Ioannidis is set to feature up front.
Shakhtar Donetsk: Riznyk; Pedrinho, Bondar, Matviyenko, Tobias; Gomes; Newerton, Sudakov, Bondarenko, Alisson; Elias
Panathinaikos: Dragowski; Vagiannidis, Palmer-Brown, Touba, Kyriakopoulos; Chirivella, Maksimovic; Pellistri, Tete, Djuricic; Ioannidis
Anything else catch the eye?
Both teams have scored in four of Panathinaikos' last five away matches (BTTS YES – available at 4/5 with BoyleSports). Those four fixtures have produced over 2.5 goals – offered at odds of 5/6.
Four of Panathinaikos' last five away matches have produced goals in each half – priced at odds of 3/4.
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