- Current situation: Panathinaikos have an unexpected 1-0 aggregate lead in their Europa League round of 16 matchup with Real Betis.
- League form: Panathinaikos are in the top four of the Greek Super League, with a string of convincing wins in the competition.
Stakes high in Seville
With 90 minutes of regulation play to go until we know if Real Betis or Panathinaikos will advance to the quarter-finals of the 2025-2026 UEFA Europa League, the pressure will be on both managers to have their respective sides ready for the clash in Seville on Thursday.
The tie is finely poised after a dramatic first leg, where Vicente Taborda’s late penalty for Panathinaikos put them in front, and two red cards were shown, setting the tone for a fiercely contested return.
Betis have been in mixed form across their last five matches in all competitions, struggling away but maintaining a solid home record and control-oriented play under Pellegrini.
However, Manuel Pellegrini’s side have a good home record this season, have been in control against most of the sides they have played and have the best midfielders and most creative attacking players.
Anssumane is the man in form for the Greens
Panathinaikos come into this game on the back of a string of emphatic Super League wins. Rafa Benítez has transformed the Greens into a compact, disciplined and difficult side to break down, and a real danger on the counter attack, especially in European knockout matches.
Karol Świderski is a big man with an eye for goal up front, but they have also received good service from their wide men, Anass Zaroury and Tetê, who offer pace and creativity on the break. Vicente Taborda is Panathinaikos’ in form player after his match-winning penalty in the first leg.
- Karol Świderski is a big man with an eye for goal up front, but they have also received good service from their wide men, Anass Zaroury and Tetê, who offer pace and creativity on the break.
- Vicente Taborda is Panathinaikos’ in form player after his match-winning penalty in the first leg.
- Zaroury is a talented but temperamental wide man who can create chances and be sent off in the same move, as he showed in the 1st leg.
Pellegrini can’t rely on Llorente in defence
Style of play
Betis are a control side and, when it works, it’s a thing of beauty. Pellegrini has turned them into a possession-based side with attacking fullbacks and technicians in midfield.
However, they have not been great at closing out games in recent weeks, perhaps because they lost their concentration or because they are not used to playing with a lead to protect.
Team news and tactics
The absence of Diego Llorente for Betis in this game, after his red card in the first leg, and the return of Amrabat from injury are two big changes for Pellegrini to consider here.
Betis will try to dominate possession, push forward and create overloads wide and through the midfield in the half spaces, but Panathinaikos will sit deep, frustrate them and pick their moments to counterattack.
Panathinaikos will be difficult to beat
Betis are a 1.4 favourite for the matchup with the visitors 8.0 shots for the win, but that seems very odd to us, given the 1-0 aggregate lead that Panathinaikos hold.
The bookmakers think the game will be low-scoring with Under 2.5 goals at 2.0 and Both Teams To Score - No at 1.73, the recommended bets.
Zaroury is a talented but temperamental wide man who can create chances and be sent off in the same move, as he showed in the 1st leg. He may not be the most reliable player to have out wide when Betis are attacking and if he is sent off, Panathinaikos will struggle to match Betis’ wing play.
We do think Betis will be pushing for a 2-0 or 2-1 win here, but Panathinaikos are a very well-disciplined side and won’t be easy to break down.
With away goals gone, any draw after 90 minutes will send the tie to extra time at least and possibly penalties, so there is still plenty to play for on Thursday night in Seville.
