Prediction: Panathinaikos vs SC Dnipro

Verdict: Panathinaikos win

Best Odds: 4/7

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Simply looking to finish off the job and extend on their Champions League qualifying adventure, Panathinaikos will welcome SC Dnipro to the Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Panathinaikos

Starting with the hosts, left disappointed last season after enduring a stuttering end to the 2022/23 campaign, some were wondering if Panathinaikos would show any signs of a summer hangover. However, despite failing to win any of their final four Greek Super League appearances back in May, the Greens have bounced back in an eye-catching fashion. Suffering just a single defeat from their seven pre-season friendly showdowns this summer, Ivan Jovanovic’s men certainly laid down a real Champions League marker when they opened their qualifying adventure last week. Although many might have felt that the Greek giants would face a rugged test on foreign soil, the former Al Nasr boss saw his squad put in a rampant performance as they stormed their way to a first-leg 3-1 victory. Knowing that they are sat firmly in pole position when they return to the Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium on Tuesday evening, Panathinaikos will simply be looking to finish off the job here.

Team News

Bagging a first-leg strike on foreign soil last week and enjoying what has been an eye-catching run since making the move from Middlesbrough last year, Slovenia international Andraz Sporar will spearhead Jovanovic’s charge on Tuesday evening.

Former Everton attacked Bernard will be hoping to keep his spot alongside Sporar in the final third. Making the move from Salernitana this summer, Tonny Vilhena will once again start at the heart of Panathinaikos’ midfield here.

SC Dnipro

As for the visitors, gaining a string of plaudits from across Ukraine’s elite last season as they claimed a silver medal finish, Dnipro were hugely excited to get their Champions League qualifying adventure underway last week. Enjoying what was a clinical pre-season romp over the summer and picking up some perfect momentum, Oleksandr Kucher’s men would have been hugely frustrated by a nightmare first-leg performance. Forced to play their home fixtures outside of Ukraine due to the ongoing conflict, the Yellows will know that they are now in need of a minor qualifying miracle in midweek. Eventually getting hit with that first-leg 3-1 defeat, the former Metalist Kharkiv boss could have a mild headache over his side’s issues at the back. Signing off their pre-season preparations with an action-packed 2-2 draw against Kryvbas on July 18th, Dnipro have shipped five strikes in their back-to-back appearances over the past fortnight.

Team News

While both Vitaliy Fedoriv and Oleksiy Gutsulyak might be dealing with long-term domestic suspensions, the duo will once again feature on Champions League duties here.

Dealing with respective injury issues on either side of the summer break, Yanis Hamache and midfielder Oleksandr Pikhalyonok will not travel out to Greece on Tuesday evening.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met for their first-leg showdown last week, Panathinaikos picked up a 3-1 romp on foreign soil.
• Including their summer pre-season run, Tuesday’s hosts have suffered just a single defeat from their last nine appearances across all competitions.
• Signing off their pre-season preparations with a lively 2-2 draw against Kryvbas on July 18th, Dnipro have shipped five goals in their back-to-back appearances.
• Continuing on from last season, the Ukrainian giants have seen four of their previous five competitive showdowns finish with over 2.5 goals.
• Panathinaikos have not suffered a single defeat at the Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium since way back on January 22nd.

Conclusion

Making a real first-leg statement on foreign soil last week as they cruised their way to that eye-catching 3-1 romp, Panathinaikos will know that they are sat firmly in pole position to extend on their Champions League qualifying adventure in midweek. Building on their summer pre-season run, the Greek giants have now lost just one of their last nine appearances across all formats. With Dnipro knowing that they are in need of a minor qualifying miracle out in Greece, we are expecting what could be another enjoyable home victory on Tuesday evening.

Verdict: Panathinaikos win

Best Odds: 4/7

Bookmaker: Dachbet