Athens takes center stage tonight, Wednesday, February 4, 2026, as Panathinaikos hosts PAOK in the first leg of a highly anticipated Greek Cup semi-final at the Stadio Apóstolos Nikolaidis.
This match features a clash of titans with high stakes: Panathinaikos is desperate to salvage their season through cup success under legendary manager Rafa Benítez, while PAOK is currently the league's most prolific side and a main contender for the domestic double.
Match Details
Fixture: Panathinaikos vs PAOK Thessaloniki
Competition: Betsson Greek Cup (Semi-Final, 1st Leg)
Date: Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Time: 18:30 UTC / 20:30 EET
Venue: Stadio Apóstolos Nikolaidis, Athens
Referee: TBD
Pre-Match Analysis
Panathinaikos: The Benítez Era
Since taking over in late 2024 on a record-breaking contract, Rafa Benítez has been tasked with stabilizing a Panathinaikos side that has struggled for consistency. Currently sitting 5th in the Super League, the "Greens" see the Greek Cup as their primary route to a trophy this season.
They enter this fixture on the back of a solid 3-0 win over Kifisia, but their recent form has been mixed (1 win in their last 5). Benítez will likely lean on his trademark defensive organization to ensure they don't concede a vital away goal heading into the second leg in Thessaloniki.
PAOK: The Double Dream
PAOK is having a sensational campaign. They sit 2nd in the Super League, just one point behind leaders AEK Athens with a game in hand. Their offensive power is undisputed—they have scored 41 goals in 18 league matches, the second-highest in the country.
Manager Răzvan Lucescu has built a resilient and clinical squad that has already knocked out reigning cup holders Olympiacos in the previous round. They arrive in Athens following a dominant 2-0 win over Olympiacos in the league, proving they are the team to beat in 2026.
Team News & Injury Reports
Panathinaikos Team News
Rafa Benítez faces a minor crisis in his attacking department with several key creators sidelined.
Out: Cyriel Dessers (Injury), Facundo Pellistri (Injury), Filip Djuricic (Injury).
Midfield Loss: Pedro Chirivella is also ruled out, which may force a reshuffle in the engine room.
Player to Watch: Karol Świderski. The Polish forward is their top scorer this season and will be the focal point of the attack.
PAOK Team News
The visitors travel to Athens with a relatively healthy squad compared to their opponents.
Out: Luka Ivanusec is the only major confirmed absence due to injury.
Key Returning Talent: Andrija Živković and Kiril Despodov are in flying form and expected to start on the wings.
Player to Watch: Giorgos Giakoumakis. The striker has been clinical in cup competitions and will look to exploit any lapses in the Panathinaikos defense.
Predicted Starting Lineups
Panathinaikos (4-2-3-1):
Lafont; Calabria, Ingason, Jedvaj, Kyriakopoulos; Sanchez, Maksimović; Bakasetas, Cherin, Zaroury; Świderski.
PAOK (4-2-3-1):
Tsiftis; Kenny, Kedziora, Michailidis, Baba Rahman; Ozdoev, Meïté; A. Živković, Pelkas, Taison; Giakoumakis.
Head-to-Head (H2H) and Key Stats
Recent H2H: PAOK won the most recent meeting 2-0 in December 2025.
The "Rafa" Effect: Panathinaikos has become much harder to beat at home under Benítez, keeping three clean sheets in their last five at the Nikolaidis.
PAOK's Wall: The visitors have kept a clean sheet in 4 of their last 6 competitive matches.
Goal History: These two teams have not drawn any of their last five encounters against each other.
Prediction: Panathinaikos 0-1 PAOK
While Rafa Benítez is a master of two-legged ties, the sheer momentum and offensive depth of PAOK make them slight favorites tonight. Panathinaikos's injury list in the attacking third is concerning, and they may struggle to break down a PAOK defense that has been nearly impenetrable recently. Expect a cagey affair settled by a single moment of quality.
Top Betting Tips:
Total Goals: Under 2.5. Both teams will likely play cautiously in the first leg of a semi-final.
Match Result: PAOK Win or Draw. Lucescu’s side is in better overall form and rarely loses away from home.
Anytime Goalscorer: Giorgos Giakoumakis. He has a knack for finding the net in high-pressure derby matches.
