Our prediction for this Europa League match:
Panathinaikos
Match Time & Date:
21/09/2023
02:45 PM
Prediction: 1-1
Villarreal
Panathinaikos and Villarreal go head to head at Olympic Stadium of Athens in what is expected to be one of the most exciting games of Thursday’s program. PAO failed to impress in the Champions League double-header with Braga, but they head into their Europa League opener following a thrilling 5-0 win over Panetolikos. Key attacker Andraz Sporar should be recalled to the starting XI after he was rested in the last league match, while Bernard should keep his place in the middle of the park after scoring a hat-trick against Panetolikos.
The Yellow Submarine, on the other hand, came from behind to beat Almeria 2-1 in their last La Liga game, with summer signing Alexander Sorloth scoring the winner in the stoppage time. The triumph gave Rojo Martin’s men a confidence boost, but seeing that Panathinaikos are tough to beat in Athens, we are tempted to put our money on draw. Alfonso Pedraza is back from the domestic ban, while fellow midfielder Francis Coquelin remains in the recovery room.
Highlighted Player (Aissa Mandi):
Aissa Mandi is a product of Reims’ youth school. After playing eight matches for Reims II in the 2009/2010 season, he started playing for the first team in 2010. Mandi made his Reims debut against Le Havre on 20 August, 2010 and he remained at Stade Auguste Delaune until 30 June, 2016, when he decided to join Spanish side Real Betis.
The Algeria international, who was born in Chalons-en-Champagne, France, signed a five-year contract with los Beticos which expires on 30 June, 2021. His main position is centre back, but he is capable of playing as a full back as well. The right-footed defender made his Algeria debut on 5 March, 2014 and he helped the Algerian national team keep a clean sheet in a 2-0 win over Slovenia.
Mandi impressed at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, but he scored his first goal for Algeria in a 3-3 draw with Ethiopia in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. He represented Algeria at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations as well.
Highlighted Team (Panathinaikos):
Despite being founded on 3 February, 1908, Panathinaikos won their first domestic trophy in 1930. However, they quickly established themselves as one of the biggest clubs in Greece. Oi Prasinoi clinched their 20th Greek Superleague trophy in 2010, with the team finishing the season six points clear of their fiercest rivals Olympiakos.
There have always been fireworks in meetings between the two capital clubs and the clash between the two sides is well known as the “Derby of eternal enemies”. According to UEFA Panathinaikos are the second most-popular team football team in Greece. Speaking of the club’s European success, PAO made it to the 1970/1971 European Cup (Champions League) final, but Ajax proved to be a big catch for the Greek side in the title game.
It is well known that green trifolium (shamrock) is the club’s emblem. Giorgos Karagounis, Djibril Cisse, Emmanuel Olisadebe, Paulo Sousa and Goran Vlaovic are notable footballers who played for PAO in the past. Giourkas Seitaridis, Antonis Nikopolidis, Kostas Chalkias, Angelos Basinas, Giannis Goumas and Dimitris Papdopoulos are Panathinaikos players who helped Greece win the 2004 European Championship trophy.
Southampton
Liverpool
Ipswich
Manchester United
Napoli
AS Roma
Leganes
Real Madrid
Lazio 
Bologna 
Nice 
Strasbourg 
