Ajax vs. Panathinaikos Predictions

Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips for Ajax vs. Panathinaikos at Europa League

Where: Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands
When: Friday, August 16, 02:15 AM

The first meeting in Greece saw Ajax winning 1-0, but this affair is far from over. The two sides have 90 minutes of grueling battle ahead of them, and knowing that at this stage of the season, the surprises are much more likely to happen, this is maybe the most interesting matchup of the entire Europa League qualifiers round. Ajax wasn’t better in Athens, but the luck was on the Lancers’ side. PAO hopes to see that returning to them in the rematch.

Ajax vs. Panathinaikos Preview

Ajax

This is far from what Ajax presented in the past. The crisis in the most decorated Dutch club was very hard last year, and this season should be the one when things stabilize. The absolute must in that plan is for Ajax to enter the group stage of the UEFA Europa League.

The Lancers’ preseason started in early July, and counting in the friendlies, they have seven straight wins. Two of them were against Vojvodina in the previous EL qualification round. After 1-0 at home, they were better in Novi Sad, 1-3.

We must admit that even though Ajax plays strong and powerful football, its efficiency isn’t as great as in the past. The main reason, which can’t be denied, is the lack of high-caliber talents.

Panathinaikos

Like Ajax, PAO too started the preseason in early July, and until this event, they won four straight. Two were in friendlies, against AEK Larnaca, 3-1, and Netanya, 1-0, while two occurred in the Europa League qualifiers.

Their rivals were Botev Plovdiv, whom PAO defeated 2-1 at home and 0-4 in Bulgaria, in one very confident performance. Though against Ajax, their offense didn’t deliver. It was partially because of Ajax’s defense, but mostly, in our opinion, due to lack of focus.

PAO has high hopes for this season, which is why they signed Tete from Galata and Ingason from Midtjylland. Be sure that they won’t back down in Amsterdam.

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Ajax and Panathinaikos Possible Lineups

Ajax: Pasveer; Rensch, Sutalo, Baas, Hato; Taylor, Henderson, Van den Boomen; Akpom, Berghuis, Brobbey

Panathinaikos: Dragowski; Baldock, Ingason, Jedvaj, Mladenovic; Cerin, Arao; Tete, Bakasetas, Djuricic; Jeremejeff

Ajax vs Panathinaikos Head to Head

Steven Berghuis was the sole scorer in the first meeting. These two clubs have played in the 1971 UEFA Champions League finals, back when Ajax won 2-0 at Wembley, denying PAO their biggest success in history.

Ajax vs. Panathinaikos Predictions

Ajax has its weaknesses, that’s for sure, and PAO comes to Amsterdam to try to exploit them. The Greek side has nothing to wait for but be very aggressive right from the start, which means they must attack. Ajax never defends at home, so this situation should open the door for high efficiency.

Our verdict: Over 2.5 goals