Our football match prediction:
Panathinaikos
Match Time & Date:
03/11/2016
20:05 GMT
Prediction: 2-1
St Liege
Both Panathinaikos and Standard Liege are eyeing their first win in Group G. Following back-to-back defeats to Ajax and Celta Vigo PAO played out a 2-2 draw with Standard in Liege and many people believe that the time has come for the Greek team to return to winning ways. Andrea Stramaccioni’s men recorded a routine 2-0 win over Iraklis at the weekend, but they failed to overtake their fiercest rivals Olympiakos in top position in the Greek Super League standings. Anyhow, seeing that Standard Liege have been struggling in the Europa League this season, we predict that PAO are going to emerge triumphant in Thursday’s football match at Stadio Apostolos Nikolaidis. You should bear in mind that Panathinaikos recorded two wins in previous three home matches in the Europa League. Argentine footballer Leto scored in the 2-0 win over Iraklis, meaning that the opposition back line should have him at bay.
Highlighted Player (Mubarak Wakaso):
Former Villarreal man Mubarak Wakaso played for several Spanish sides in the past. After ending his spell with Elche in 2011 he joined Villarreal B and he made 17 appearances for the first team in the 2011/2012 La Liga campaign. At the end of the season he moved to fellow Spanish outfit Espanyol, penning a four-year contract. The Ghanaian midfielder played for Las Palmas in the 2015/2016 season and it has to be noted that he was part of Rubin Kazan, Celtic and Ashanti Gold in the past as well. On 10 July, 2016 Mubarak Wakaso signed a three-year deal with Panathinaikos for an undisclosed fee. Wakaso represented Ghana at the U17 World Cup in Peru and he played two games for the Black Stars in the group stages of the showpiece tournament. He made his debut for the first team on 13 October, 2012 in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game against Malawi. You should bear in mind that his younger brother Alhassan plays football as well.
Highlighted Team (St Liege):
Standard are a Belgian football club based in Liege. The club was founded back in 1898 and 11 years later they joined Belgian First League. Les Rouches (the Reds) immediately dropped to the lower leagues, but in 1921 they returned to the Belgian top flight. Standard won their first Belgian League trophy in 1958, but you should have in mind that they were level on points with second-placed Royal Antwerp. In 2009 the Reds clinched their tenth domestic title, beating Anderlecht in the title game. Talented midfielder Axel Witsel scored the winner for Standard in the 1-0 triumph over their bitter rivals. Standard play their home games at Stade Maurice Dufrasne, the venue that was opened in 1909. The capacity of the stadium is 30 023. Maurice Dufrasne was the club’s chairman from 1909 until 1931. Speaking of the club’s European success, Standard participated in the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup final in 1982, losing to La Liga giants Barcelona in the title game.
