PAOK FC vs. Panathinaïkós A.Ó. Prediction on September 15, 2024

Match info

The Greek national team has fulfilled its UEFA Nations League requirements for now and the majority of its players are now back to playing in the men’s football 2024–25 Stoiximan Super League Greece. This year’s first derby between PAOK FC and Panathinaïkós A.Ó. will take place on Matchday 4, marking their maiden encounter this season too. When the game at the Toumba Stadium in Thessaloniki takes place on Sunday, September 15 at 8:30 p.m. local time, the hosts hope to stay undefeated and in first place in the charts. As for the “Greens”, however, they began the season with a tie with Athens Kallithea as well as a home loss to Asteras Tripolis in the season opener. The pressure will thus be on the visiting team already at this point of the season.

Meeting statistics

The current form of PAOK FC

Răzvan Lucescu has a lot of kilometers under his belt as PAOK’s coach. He presumably starts his sixth year as the technical leader of the Thessaloniki club, following a stint between 2017 and 2019 and another one starting in 2021. He has spent all of this time writing his name in gold letters at the most significant points in the “Double-Headed Eagle of the North”’s history. The Romanian coach has won over even the most picky supporters of the reigning Greek champs with his game plan, which he continuously tweaks and updates based on the lineup he possesses. During his time, he hasn’t only added two league crowns and two Cups to his trophy case, but he has also created the competitive demeanor that his squad displays on the field; even making it to the UEFA Conference League quarterfinals twice in the previous three years.

The fact that PAOK battled to the very end in a season that has just passed, not being the biggest favorite to claim the title stood out. Lucescu’s team was favored to finish the title race fourth in the odds of online betting companies in Greece, and it required 36 games—including the play-offs—to make things end in its favor. This year, the club is once again depending on Giannis Konstantelias. In addition to winning the respect of most football fans with his performances and distinctive style, the gifted player is crucial to the PAOK’s success. Without Konstantinos Koulierakis, he’ll be the only prominent member of the new generation to be a strong card this year, mostly due to the club’s budgetary restraint. With the notable additions of Fedor Chalov, Tarik Tissoudali, Shola Shoretire, and Mady Camara, PAOK are indeed strengthened. The departure of Koulierakis, who claimed to be taking his career to the next level by moving to Wolfsburg, is the one that stings the most. It remains to be seen, however, how much the midfielders will lose in compensation for Soualiho Meïté’s departure. The only thing that has hindered PAOK’s progress thus far is that it was eliminated by Malmö in the final minutes of stoppage time during the third UEFA Champions League qualifying round at Toumba.

The current form of Panathinaïkós A.Ó.

For Panathinaikos, the transfer window was dynamic. Numerous additions to every position boosted the “Greens”. After a protracted absence from winning championship trophies, last year’s title loss was the cherry on top. The administration’s priority for this year’s Greek Cup winners is to get back to the top. The first action on the restart was the replacement of the technical leadership. Diego Alonso was chosen to break the deadlock for Panathinaikos. Currently, the Uruguayan coach’s Super League statistics don’t appear to be in favor of his efforts.

There’s a difference in mentality regarding the handling of European matches compared to those for the domestic league. In Europe, there may be a positive picture, given that the attempt to qualify for the UEFA Europa League that began with the elimination of Botev (with an aggregate score of 6-1 in favor of “PAO”) ended with the ignominious elimination by Ajax on penalties.

However, despite the difficulty of eliminating Lens (3-2 on aggregate), the qualification for the group stage of the UEFA Conference League revived the hopes of Panathinaikos supporters for a year with a positive sign. The expectations are far from unfounded. The team was strengthened with several players. More important than others are those of Tetê, Facundo Pellistri, Philipp Max, Sverrir Ingi Ingason, and the last of Azzedine Ounahi, who comes to fill the midfield. At the same time, the stay of Fotis Ioannidis makes Panathinaikos’ fans filled with optimism. The Greece international is in excellent form.

Match analytics

The 3-0 record at the start of Super League makes PAOK the favorite in the big match, no doubt. But, given that Panathinaikos are yet to unleash their power, you might want to skip the match-winner bet and opt for both teams to score.

Tip: Both teams to score and total goals – yes and over 2.5, with odds of 2.25 on Fuksiarz.

Results of the forecast

Forecast failed. PAOK FC vs. Panathinaïkós A.Ó. 0:0