Shakhtar vs. Panathinaikos: Preview, Predictions, and Key Details of the UEFA Europa League Playoff Match
On Thursday, August 14, Ukrainian football club Shakhtar will take part in a crucial third-round qualifying match for the UEFA Europa League, where they will face Greek club Panathinaikos.
This decisive game is significant for both teams’ advancement or elimination from the tournament, especially under challenging external circumstances, as Shakhtar’s home match is not taking place in Ukraine due to wartime conditions.
Instead, Arda Turan’s team will host the Greek opponents in Krakow, Poland, with kickoff scheduled for 21:00 Kyiv time.According to bookmakers’ forecasts, Shakhtar is considered the favorite to win this confrontation.
The odds for their victory are set at 1.78, indicating strong confidence in the Ukrainian team’s capability.
A draw is rated at 3.70, while a win for Panathinaikos has odds of 4.75.
Bettors can also place bets on Shakhtar qualifying for the next stage with a coefficient of 1.30, compared to 3.25 for Panathinaikos to advance.The winner of this duel will determine who moves on to the Europa League playoff round, where they will face Turkish club Samsunspor.
The losing team will be transferred to the group stage of the Europa Conference League, where they will meet the loser of the Seravezza vs.
Utrecht pair.
Despite the match officially being a home game for Shakhtar, due to ongoing military conflicts in Ukraine, the game will be played in Krakow, Poland.The match is scheduled to kick off at 21:00 Kyiv time.
The victorious team will secure a spot in the Europa League knockout phase, while the loser will have to settle for the Conference League.
Notably, the Ukrainian team’s coach, Arda Turan, publicly criticized the refereeing after their previous match, adding tension to this high-stakes encounter.
It is also noteworthy that Panathinaikos, the Greek opponent, has recently removed a Russian player from their squad, which could influence the tactical approach of the match.