Panathinaikos - Hradec Kralove: Can the Greek side secure a win in the first leg?
On Thursday, August 20, we will see a final qualifying-round clash between Panathinaikos and Hradec Kralove. The match will kick off at 20:30 CET, and I am offering you a bet on this fixture.
Panathinaikos - Hradec Kralove: Match preview
The Athens club made a difficult start to last season, but after changing managers, they eventually finished in the top four. The team collected 52 points from 32 rounds and finished fourth. They went through two rounds of UEFA Conference League qualifying, first overcoming Paks 4-3 before defeating CSKA 1948 Sofia 3-2. The team now have two qualifying matches ahead of them, while their new Greek Super League season will begin on August 29. By the way, Panathinaikos played four friendly matches before the competitive season, winning three and losing one.
Hradec Kralove compete in the Czech league and have already played three matches in the new 1. Liga season. They have collected seven points from those three games and currently sit fifth in the table. Last season, Hradec Kralove finished fourth and earned a chance to qualify for the UEFA Europa League. They first overcame Tromso 4-1, but then lost to Besiktas 0-2 on aggregate over two legs and will now attempt to reach the third-tier European competition. Before this season, they played four friendly matches, winning two and drawing two.
Match facts and H2H
- Panathinaikos are unbeaten in four consecutive matches.
- Panathinaikos have scored at least one goal in nine consecutive matches.
- Hradec Kralove have lost two of their last three matches.
- Hradec Kralove have failed to score in three of their last four matches.
- These teams have never met before.
Probable line-ups
- Panathinaikos: Lafont, Palmer-Brown, Touba, Calabria, Kyriakopoulos, Čerin, Taborda, Kontouris, Świderski, Zaroury, Andino
- Hradec Kralove: Zadražil, Ludvíček, Uhrinčať, Horak, Čihák, Čech, Dancák, Slončík, Darida, Mihálik, van Buren
Prediction
Panathinaikos will look to finish the job and secure European football for the autumn. I expect an entertaining match and recommend betting on a Panathinaikos win.
