Villarreal vs Panathinaikos Athens Prediction & Betting Tips - Europa League

Prediction published on 28/11/2023, 15:00  by Kennedy Kechula in Europa League Predictions

Villarreal will host Panathinaikos on Thursday as both teams switch their attention to the Europa League. Two points separate the two in Group F with Villarreal in second having the edge over Panathinaikos in third. A win for Villarreal here will confirm a top-two finish for them and consequently end Panathinaikos’ last 16 hopes. Marcelino’s men have accumulated six points and have a game in hand on the two teams in and around them. Villarreal seem to have steadied the ship following Marcelino’s appointment midway through November. The Yellow Submarine have won the two matches in which the Spanish tactician has overseen. This will have them confident of victory here. Villarreal defeated Osasuna 3-1 last Sunday at home in La Liga.

Panathinaikos have stuttered in recent weeks and arrive here having lost two of their last three games. They have been in even bad shape in Group F and haven’t won in three outings with the last two ending in defeat. But having defeated Villarreal 2-0 in the reverse match back in October, the Greek heavyweights will be confident of avoiding defeat here. Ivan Jovanovic’s men have amassed four points from their four matches and have a three-point cushion on bottom team Maccabi Haifa. The Israeli side however has a game in hand and is a threat for a Conference League spot if not a last-16 one. Panathinaikos suffered a 2-0 loss last time out away to Aris in the Greek Super League.