Brondby vs Panathinaikos Predictions, Betting Tips, & Match Preview

Danish side Brondby are no strangers to European competition and their 4th placed finish in the Danish Superliga last season secured them entry to the Europa League for a third consecutive year. Brondby have been in fair form throughout the earlier rounds of the competition, progressing through to the third qualifying round with an aggregate win of 10-1 over Icelandic side Valur and narrowly beating Scottish side Hibernian at home on penalties after finishing 1-1 on aggregate. Brondby’s biggest challenge, however, awaited them in their third qualifying round clash against Hertha Berlin of the Bundesliga. Brondby found themselves 1-0 behind after the first leg, but fought hard at home in the second leg, with Finnish striker Teemu Pukki able to take all the credit for his hat-trick in their 3-1 win. Unfortunately, Brondby were outplayed and outperformed once again in the first leg of the playoff stage against Panathinaikos. The Danes come into this match trailing 3-0 on aggregate and without two players who were sent off during said fixture, a much bigger mountain to climb than in their previous second leg fixture against Hertha.

Panathinaikos’ 3rd placed finish in the Greek Superleague, after playoffs, was as consistent as ever. The Greek side entered the Europa League one stage earlier than in their 2015/2016 season, but will be confident that they’ll be able to progress further than the playoff round now,with a 3-0 aggregate lead. Panathinaikos truly domintated Brondby at home, registering eight shots on goal to Brondby’s one and 23 chances in total to Brondby’s three. The Greek Superleague is still yet to begin and, with Panathinaikos in decent competitive form, all their focus will be on smoothly riding out the 90 minutes in Denmark to see themselves through to the group stages.

Roles are reversed as Brondby are the bookies’ favourites for this match despite their demoralising 3-0 defeat in the first leg. Though the Danes have a decent home record in Europe, most of these results come from the earlier rounds against weaker teams, excluding their 3-1 win at home to Hertha BSC. We fail to see the hosts being able to pull off a miracle again here, as the Greeks also have decent form in European competition. Panathinaikos have drawn two and won one of their last four away matches in the Europa League, including a 1-1 draw against Dutch champions PSV. With the visitors likely playing just to see their aggregate lead take them through to the next round, we feel this match favors a low-scoring outcome. Brondby failed to score in Greece last time out but the home advantage should help them out a tad. We expect Panathinaikos to be in no rush to do much just sit back with possession here, but maybe also find opportunity for a goal of their own on the counter to keep things all square.

As such, a draw at 9/4 and a 1-1 draw at 5/1 with bet365 are our choice bets for this Europa League playoff second leg.