Our prediction for this Europa Conference League match:
Djurgarden and Panathinaikos square off against each other at Tele2 Arena in a highly-anticipated Conference League game. The Swedes aim to recover from a 1-0 loss to Halmstad and, no doubt, they are desperate to record their first win of the process. Home win, though, should not be considered as both Sabovic and Danielson are banned for the match, while Piotr Johansson misses out with injury.
PAO, on the other hand, suffered a 4-1 loss to Chelsea in Athens, but their performance was anything but poor. As Djurgarden head into the match with a severely-weakened squad, we predict that the Greeks are going to pick up vital three points. There are no fresh injury concerns in the visiting side, but pacey Uruguay forward Facundo Pellistri should sneak into the starting XI after coming as a substitute in a 1-0 win over Volos. The good news for the visitors is that centre-forward Fotis Ioannidis has overcome his injury.
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.