Panathinaikos Athens vs Villarreal Prediction & Betting Tips - Europa League

Prediction published on 19/09/2023, 12:45  by Sridhar | Modified on 19/09/2023 at 13:19 in Europa League Predictions

Three years after winning this trophy, Villarreal return to Europa League as they start their Group F engagements with a match against Panathinaikos. This matchday one fixture will be played at the Athens Olympic Stadium on Thursday. Rennes and Maccabi Haifa complete the group and are playing each other in the other group game of this matchday. The hosts are returning to the group stages of this competition after seven years. It gets trickier against Spanish opposition as Panathinaikos have failed to win their last seven home games against such clubs. That is not something they would like to reminisce ahead of their fifth appearance in the Europa League group stage. They haven’t qualified for the knockouts since 2009/10 and hence will look to start on a high. Recent form has been impressive with three wins and a defeat in all competitions.

Villarreal will look to bring their European pedigree and gate crash the Greek party. The Spaniards are in the group stages of this competition for the first time since 2020/21 when they won the title defeating Manchester United. They followed it up with a run to the Champions League semis in 2021/22 and a round-of-16 appearance in the Europa Conference League last season. They are coming off a 2-1 win over Almeria in the league fixture over the weekend making it two wins and two defeats across their last four games. While that record puts question marks over their chances, their run of 15 games without a loss in the Europa League group stages make Villarreal a dangerous side.