The first leg of the 2025/26 Europa League knockout round play-off tie between Panathinaikos (Greece) and Viktoria Plzen (Czech Republic) will take place on 19 February at the Spyros Louis Stadium in Athens. Panathinaikos vs Viktoria Plzen: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Panathinaikos
In the final round of the league phase, the home team let victory slip away against Roma (1:1). That result made it three consecutive draws in the Europa League for Panathinaikos. The Greeks’ unbeaten run in this competition has now reached five matches (two wins, three draws). Overall, the club collected 12 points from eight rounds and, with that tally, sits 20th in the standings. Prior to this, the team had not reached the Europa League play-offs since the 2009/10 season, when Panathinaikos went out in the round of 16 after two defeats to Standard.
- The Greeks have scored in seven of their last eight Europa League games.
- The club have not conceded more than one goal in seven of their last eight home matches in this competition.
- At least two goals have been scored in six of Panathinaikos’ last eight Europa League matches.
Potential Panathinaikos Lineup (5-4-1)*
Alban Lafont – Davide Calabria, Georgios Katris, Tin Jedvaj, Ahmed Touba, Javi – Adam Gnezda-Cerin, Vicente Taborda, Anastasios Bakasetas, Santino Andino – Karol Swiderski.
Forward Karol Swiderski has served his suspension. Defenders Sverrir Ingason and Georgios Kyriakopoulos, midfielder Pedro Chirivella and striker Cyriel Dessers will miss out due to fitness issues. Defender Tin Jedvaj has not been registered for the Europa League.
Viktoria Plzen
The visitors were the only side to come through the entire league phase without a single defeat. At the same time, five of Viktoria’s eight matches in this season’s Europa League ended level. Although the club edged past Basel in the final round (1:0), it still was not enough to break into the top eight. In the final table, the Czechs finished 14th. Viktoria have reached the Europa League play-offs for the second season running, having knocked out Ferencvaros in last year’s play-off tie. It is also worth noting that, in this European campaign, the club have conceded just three goals in total – the best figure in the tournament.
- The Czechs have kept a clean sheet in four of their previous five Europa League matches.
- The team have covered Viktoria Plzen (+1.5) in six consecutive away matches in this competition.
- Viktoria have not scored more than one goal in five straight Europa League games.
Potential Viktoria Plzen Lineup (4-2-3-1)*
Florent Wiegele – Merchas Doski, David Krcik, Vaclav Jemelka, Amar Memic – Lukas Cerv, Patrik Hrosovsky – Denis Visinsky, Tomas Ladra, Cheick Souare – Salim Lawal.
Striker Matej Vydra’s suspension has come to an end. Defender Jan Paluska is not ready due to injury. Another defender, David Krcik, has not been included in the squad for Europa League matches.
Referee
Nick Walsh (Scotland)
Matches officiated – 9 (international matches, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 42;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.7;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 25;
Penalties – 44%.
Panathinaikos vs Viktoria Plzen: Match Prediction
Panathinaikos are unbeaten in five Europa League matches, but across the last three games in that run the club have only managed draws. Over their last seven European matches, the Greeks have recorded just two wins, with the same number of defeats. Home advantage can hardly be described as a decisive factor, given that even with the backing of their supporters the team have won only two of their previous seven Europa League home fixtures (three draws, two defeats).
Viktoria, meanwhile, did not lose a single match in the Europa League league phase, and only the Czechs can boast such an achievement. Including last season, the club’s unbeaten run in this competition stands at nine matches (three wins, six draws). Yes, the team also have plenty of stalemates, but two of their last three away games in the Europa League ended in victory.
The visitors avoided defeat against Panathinaikos in the league phase (0:0), and they should once again steer clear of an unfavourable outcome here.
Prediction: Viktoria Plzen, double chance
* For each team, the starting line-up from their previous match is listed.
