Verdict: Rangers double chance
Best Odds: 21/20
Bookmaker: Luckster
Looking to extend on their Champions League qualifying campaign and collect what would be an eye-catching scalp, Rangers will travel to Panathinaikos on Wednesday night.
Panathinaikos
Starting with the hosts, while Panathinaikos might have signed off their summer preparations with a 3-1 victory against Westerlo, the Greens came immediately crashing back down to earth last week. Eventually hit with what was a deserved 2-0 defeat in Glasgow, the Greek giants will have a huge amount of pressure on their shoulders when they return to the Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium on Wednesday night. Despite clinching another silver medal finish among Greece’s elite last season, it is fair to say that Rui Vitoria’s men have struggled to find any real stability so far this calendar year. Remarkably failing to muster consecutive domestic victories throughout 2025, the midweek hosts have a real mountain to climb in Athens here. It should also be highlighted, Panathinaikos have won just a trio of their previous 12 Champions League showdowns on home soil.
Panathinaikos Team News
Shown a second-half red card away at Ibrox last week, academy graduate Georgios Vagiannidis will miss out through suspension here. Only making a late cameo appearance off the bench in Glasgow, one-time Leicester City loanee Tete could be handed a full recall in the final third.
Making a permanent switch from Manchester United last summer, Uruguayan international Facundo Pellistri will certainly play a leading role. Former Porto youngster Erik Palmer-Brown will start at the heart of Vitoria’s defence on Wednesday night.
Rangers
As for the visitors, only announcing Russell Martin’s arrival at Ibrox last month, the former Southampton boss couldn’t have wished to a better start to life in Glasgow. Despite facing what looked set to be a real test last week, the Scottish giants were more than deserving of their 2-0 victory and they head over to Greece on Wednesday night sat in the driving seat. Despite coming under a huge amount of scrutiny last season as they were completely blown away by arch-rivals Celtic, Rangers will travel to Athens in midweek smelling the chance to collect a heavyweight scalp. Although their Europa League adventure might have come to an end back in April following a 2-0 loss against Spanish outfit Athletic Bilbao, Martin’s new squad have largely impressed with their rugged success on the road. In fact, the Blues have suffered just a single defeat away from Ibrox since the end of January.
Rangers Team News
Completing a loan switch from Bournemouth this summer and making his Ranger debut at Ibrox last week, Max Aarons will once again be deployed at left-back. Likewise, fellow summer recruit and former Leeds star Joe Rothwell will start in the middle of the park.
Enjoying what has quickly become a sensational summer run and notching a first senior strike in Glasgow last week, 18-year-old Findlay Curtis will feature here. Scotland international John Souttar will start at the heart of Martin’s defence in midweek.
Panathinaikos vs Rangers Key Factors to Consider
- When Panathinaikos and Rangers met for their first-leg showdown last week, the Scottish heavyweights collected a 2-0 victory in Glasgow.
- Rangers have suffered just a single defeat away from Ibrox across any competition since the end of January.
- Panathinaikos have won just a trio of their previous 12 Champions League appearances in Athens.
- 10 of Rangers’ last 11 matchups away from Ibrox have finished with over 2.5 goals.
- Wednesday’s hosts have failed to register consecutive domestic victories so far this calendar year.
Conclusion
Travelling over to Athens on Wednesday night holding a deserved 2-0 advantage, Rangers will be looking to collect a real scalp here. Getting Martin’s tenure underway with a dream performance at Ibrox, the Blues will also meet a Panathinaikos squad who have shown some extended European issues on home soil. In fact, the Greens have won just a trio of wins from their previous 12 Champions League showdowns at the Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium. Despite getting their second-leg showdown underway pencilled in as a real underdog contender, Martin’s new squad will be confident of asking some serious questions.
Verdict: Rangers double chance
Best Odds: 21/20
Bookmaker: Luckster
