Panathinaikos Vs Vikingur

Panathinaikos and Vikingur Reykjavik are set to conclude their battle for a coveted place in the Europa Conference League round of 16 this Thursday, as they face off in the decisive second leg of their knockout round playoff tie. With Vikingur Reykjavik holding a slender advantage from the first leg, the Greek side will be determined to overturn the deficit on home soil and secure progression.

Panathinaikos, a club with a rich history in European competition, will be eager to make the most of their home advantage in this high-stakes encounter. Their journey in this season’s Europa Conference League began after they dropped out of Europa League qualifying. However, they quickly found their footing, securing a place in the league phase of the tertiary continental competition following a hard-fought two-legged victory over Lens. In the group stage, Panathinaikos managed to accumulate ten points from six matches, finishing in 13th place overall. They recorded three wins, suffered two defeats, and drew once, a performance that ultimately secured them a seeded spot in the knockout playoff round.

The Greek side built momentum in the group stage, winning their last three matches to clinch their place in the playoffs. That run of victories saw them enter their tie against Vikingur Reykjavik in confident spirits, but their hopes took a hit when they found themselves two goals down in the first leg. However, a late penalty converted by Fotis Ioannidis in injury time gave them a lifeline and ensured they returned to Athens with the deficit reduced to just one goal.

Following their European outing, Panathinaikos resumed their domestic campaign with a crucial match against Volos in the Greek Super League. In that fixture, they returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 2-1 victory, thanks to goals from Sverrir Ingi Ingason and Adam Gnezda Cerin. This result kept them within five points of the league leaders as they continue their quest for a 21st top-flight title and their first since 2010. With their domestic form providing a timely boost, Panathinaikos now shift their focus back to European competition, determined to complete a turnaround against Vikingur Reykjavik and book a place in the final 16.

On the other hand, Vikingur Reykjavik are on the verge of creating history as they prepare for Thursday’s showdown. The Icelandic outfit have never reached the round of 16 in a European competition, making this tie a momentous occasion for the club. Their journey to this stage has been nothing short of impressive. They secured their place in the Europa Conference League league phase after successfully navigating three qualifying rounds. Once in the group stage, Vikingur Reykjavik finished in 19th place, accumulating eight points from six matches. Their campaign saw them win two games, draw twice, and suffer two defeats, an effort that was just enough to keep them in contention.

Despite securing passage to the knockout round, Vikingur Reykjavik faced challenges towards the end of the league phase. Their last two group games ended in disappointment, with a defeat to Djurgardens IF and a draw with LASK Linz. Those results saw them finish just one point above the first team eliminated from the competition. Nevertheless, Solvi Ottesen’s men regrouped for their playoff clash with Panathinaikos, and they made an excellent start in the first leg. In that encounter, Vikingur took an early lead in both halves, with David Orn Atlason and Matthias Vilhjalmsson finding the net. However, they were unable to maintain a two-goal cushion, conceding a late penalty that allowed their Greek opponents to stay within touching distance heading into the return leg.

Unlike Panathinaikos, Vikingur Reykjavik have not had any domestic fixtures since the first leg. With the Icelandic league campaign set to resume in April, they have had the benefit of a full week of preparation ahead of their crucial trip to Athens. With their focus solely on this European challenge, they will aim to hold onto their aggregate lead and achieve a historic qualification for the last 16.

As the decisive second leg approaches, Panathinaikos must navigate the challenge without several key players. The Greek side will be without Anastasios Bakasetas, Tin Jedvaj, Erik Palmer-Brown, and Facundo Pellistri, all of whom are sidelined due to injuries. Bakasetas and Palmer-Brown were both forced off in the first leg, adding to the club’s selection headaches. Despite these absences, head coach Rui Vitoria is expected to field a strong starting lineup, similar to the one that claimed victory over Volos in the league.

Fotis Ioannidis, who missed the Volos match due to suspension, is likely to return to the starting XI and lead the attack. The forward played a crucial role in the first leg, coming off the bench to convert the late penalty that kept his team’s hopes alive. He will be supported by attacking options such as Tete, Adam Gnezda Cerin, and Filip Duricic, all of whom have been key contributors in front of goal this season. Duricic and Tete, in particular, have proven to be reliable sources of goals, each netting nine times across all competitions. Meanwhile, Marseille loanee Azzedine Ounahi and recent signing Manolis Siopis are expected to continue their partnership in midfield, though Nemanja Maksimovic is another viable option for Vitoria to consider.

On the other side, Vikingur Reykjavik may opt for continuity, with head coach Solvi Ottesen potentially naming an unchanged starting lineup from the first leg. However, Matthias Vilhjalmsson has made a strong case for inclusion in the starting XI after scoring in the first leg. His presence could offer an added attacking threat alongside captain Nikolaj Hansen, who is set to return from suspension. Hansen has been Vikingur’s standout performer in European competition this season, leading the team’s scoring charts with five goals in 12 continental appearances. His availability will provide a significant boost as the Icelandic side look to see out the tie.

In defense, Vikingur Reykjavik are expected to stick with their back three of Tarik Ibrahimagic, Oliver Ekroth, and Sveinn Gisli Thorkelsson. This trio played a key role in the first leg and will be tasked with withstanding Panathinaikos’ attacking pressure at the Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium. With the Greek side expected to be on the front foot from the outset, Vikingur’s defensive unit will need to be resolute and organized to maintain their aggregate lead.

As for recent form, Panathinaikos have experienced mixed results across all competitions. Their last six matches have seen them record three wins, two defeats, and a draw. In the Europa Conference League specifically, their performances have followed a similar pattern, with three victories and three losses in their last six European outings. Meanwhile, Vikingur Reykjavik have also endured a mixed run of form in recent weeks. Across all competitions, they have registered two wins, three defeats, and a draw in their last six matches. Their Europa Conference League form has been slightly more consistent, with two wins, two draws, and two losses in their most recent continental encounters.

With everything to play for in the second leg, the stage is set for a thrilling encounter in Athens. Panathinaikos will be fueled by the desire to overturn the first-leg deficit and advance to the next stage of the competition, while Vikingur Reykjavik will be determined to defend their aggregate lead and make history by reaching the round of 16 for the first time. With both teams possessing attacking threats and plenty of motivation, Thursday’s clash promises to be a gripping and fiercely contested affair.