Our prediction for this Europa League match:
Ajax
Match Time & Date:
15/08/2024
11:15 AM
Prediction: 1-0
Panathinaikos
Expect an electrifying atmosphere at Johan Cruijff Arena when Ajax and Panathinaikos go head to head in the Europa League third qualifying round, return leg. The Amsterdammers won the first leg 1-0 thanks to Steven Berghuis’ goal and they head into Thursday’s clash following a 1-0 win over Heerenveen in their Eredivisie season opener. Brian Brobbey is pushing for a start after coming as a substitute in the league match, while the likes of Avila, Aertssen, Rasmussen, van Axel Dongen, and Wijndal should miss out with injuries. Pacey winger Steven Bergwijn is back from the domestic ban.
PAO, on the other hand, failed to impress in the first leg and given Ajax’s four-game winning run in all competitions, we predict that the Greeks are going to return to Athens empty-handed. Panathinaikos midfielder Daniel Mancini is only one yellow card away from suspension, while there are no fresh injury concerns in the away team.
Highlighted Player (Steven Berghuis):
Born in Apeldoorn, Netherlands on December 19, 1991, Steven Berghuis is a Dutch winger who plays for Ajax in the Eredivisie. Berghuis played for the likes of Vitesse/AGOVV, WSV Apeldoorn, and Go Ahead Eagles during his youth career before joining Twente in 2009.
The 183-cm-tall footballer continued playing for the Reds at senior level. After ending his loan spell with VVV-Venlo, Steven Berghuis joined AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2012, and three years later signed a deal with the Premier League club Watford. After making no more than nine appearances in the English top flight, Berghuis moved to Feyenoord in August 2016, and he has been playing De club aan de Maas ever since.
His main position is right winger, but he is capable of producing fine displays as both left winger and attacking midfielder as well. He made his Netherlands debut on May 27, 2016 in a 1-1 draw with the Republic of Ireland.
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.
Leicester
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Arsenal
Nottingham Forest
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Crystal Palace 
Milan 
Juventus 
Man City
Tottenham
Celta Vigo 
Barcelona 
