Panathinaikos vs Marseille Predictions

• Panathinaikos scored at least twice in each leg in the last round
• Marseille lost four of six group games in this competition last term
• The visitors finished the previous Ligue 1 campaign with three successive defeats

Marseille face tough trip

After finishing third in Ligue 1 last term, Marseille will need to navigate the Champions League qualifiers in order to return to the group stage. The French side were beaten in four of their six appearances in last season’s group stage and they face a but of squad turnover after losing top-scorer Alexis Sanchez.

The French side have signed strikers with a view to replace him but it’s likely that new boss Marcelino will need time to adjust in his first job outside Spain. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have it in his first game in charge as his side face a difficult visit to Panathinaikos.

Greek side can hold their own

The hosts saw off Dnipro-1 in the last round, winning 3-1 in the first leg before drawing 2-2 at home. They certainly showed their scoring threat across the two legs, something which this Marseille side might lack a little of early on.

The visitors finished last season with three successive defeats on the road in the league and their mixed record in Europe last term suggests they’ll struggle to get a result in a fierce atmosphere in Athens.

Look to the hosts to salvage something from this, while we could see another exciting 2-2 draw for the hosts at home.