Panathinaikos Athens vs Maccabi Haifa FC Prediction & Betting Tips - Europa League

Prediction published on 14/12/2023, 03:53  by Daniel Ngulu in Europa League Predictions

Panathinaikos will host Maccabi Haifa in a winner-takes-all Europa League Group F encounter this Thursday. Going into the game, Panathinaikos are third with four points, two ahead of bottom placed Maccabi Haifa. The hosts can’t progress in this competition but can target the Conference League. for the Greek side, there’s all to play for; they need to avoid defeat here to stay in European competitions. A draw or win will guarantee them a place in the Conference League. Facing the bottom placed side, at home, should give Panathinaikos the confidence that they can do this. They will however have to improve on their performance in the last three Group F games. The hosts suffered three straight losses in the Europa League ahead of this game. They however warmed up for this match with a 4-0 win over OFI. That was their second win in four matches and they kept clean sheets in both wins. The Greek side will count mostly on their home form coming into this game. They have three wins in their last four home matches. Their five home wins inside the last 10 games, have all returned clean sheets.

Maccabi Haifa failed to score at home to Panathinaikos in the first leg, a game that ended 0-0. It will be tougher for them given Panathinaikos don’t let in a lot of goals at home. The Israeli side will be under immense pressure in this game. Their hopes for Europe are hinged on this game. They can’t progress in the Europa League but a win takes them to the Conference League. Maccabi Haifa have failed to register a win in their opening five matches and are hoping to change that here. They come into this game on a three-match unbeaten streak but the last two ended in draws. A repeat of their last two results means they are out of Europe for the remainder of the season. A concern for them here will be the fact that they haven't been strong in attack, while they face an attacking side Twice in their last four matches, Maccabi Haifa failed to score. They haven't scored more than a goal in the last four games. Away from home, they failed to score in two of their last three matches.