Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 4/6
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Looking to claim a first-leg advantage on Thursday night, Panathinaikos will welcome Shakhtar Donetsk to Athens.
Panathinaikos
Starting with the hosts, watching their Champions League qualifying dreams come to an abrupt end last week as they slumped to a 2-1 aggregate defeat against Scottish giants Rangers, Panathinaikos have a huge amount of pressure on their shoulders here. Despite claiming another silver medal finish among Greece’s elite last season, Rui Vitoria’s men have failed to find any real fluidity. Signing off the 2024/25 campaign with a 1-0 loss at home against bitter domestic rivals Olympiacos, the Shamrocks have come under some increasing scrutiny. Now mustering just a single win from any of their previous five competitive outings on either side of the summer break, Panathinaikos will know the importance of claiming an essential first-leg advantage here.
Panathinaikos Team News
While Georgios Vagiannidis might have missed out last week after serving a one-match European suspension against Rangers, the 23-year-old will return to Panthinaikos’ squad here.
One-time Manchester City youngster Erik Palmer-Brown will partner summer recruit Ahmed Touba at the back. Making a permanent switch from Manchester United last year, Uruguayan international Facundo Pellistri will play a leading role in the final third.
Shakhtar Donetsk
As for the visitors, while Shakhtar might have faced a real Europa League qualifying challenge last week, the Ukrainian icons collected what was a notable scalp. Eventually landing an eye-catching 6-2 aggregate win against Turkish outfit Besiktas, Arda Turan’s men should find the mood in their camp at a real high. Likewise, getting their qualifying adventure underway with a 6-0 romp against Ilves on July 10th, Shkhtar have not suffered a single competitive defeat across any competition since the middle of April. Successfully defending their domestic crown last season and certainly enjoying life under the one-time Barcelona midfielder, Thursday’s guests are more than capable of asking some serious questions.
Shakhtar Donetsk Team News
While Brazilian defender Marlon might have completed a permanent switch from MLS outfit Los Angeles this summer, the 29-year-old is not expected to be part of Shakhtar’s travelling squad on Thursday night.
Finding the net against Besiktas last week and opening his domestic account against Epitsentr over the weekend, former Fluminense starlet Kaua Elias will play a leading role in the final third. Despite once again attracting some real European interest, Marlon Gomes will start in the middle of the park.
Panathinaikos vs Shakhtar Donetsk Key Factors to Consider
- Thursday’s showdown at Athens will be the first meeting between Panathinaikos and Shakhtar.
- Extending on their Europa League qualifying adventure last week thanks to a 6-2 aggregate win against Besiktas, Shakhtar have notched 13 goals since opening the 2025/26 campaign.
- Continuing on from last season, Starting with the hosts, Panathinaikos have mustered just a sole win from any of their previous five competitive appearances.
- Likewise, the Shamrocks have failed to muster a single clean sheet from any of their last 11 straight outings.
- Shakhtar have not suffered a single competitive defeat across any format since the middle of April.
Conclusion
Collecting a notable scalp last week as they claimed a thrilling 6-2 aggregate win against Besiktas, Shakhtar will travel to Greece on Thursday night enjoying a real purple patch. With Panathinaikos mustering just a single win from any of their previous five competitive appearances on either side of the summer break, the Greek giants have also shown some serious defensive struggles. Mustering just a single clean sheet in Athens since returning from March’s international break, we could be treated to an enjoyable qualifying battle here.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 4/6
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
