PAOK vs Panathinaikos prediction, H2H and probable lineups — 11 February 2026
The second leg of the Greek Cup semi-final will see PAOK take on Panathinaikos. The match is set to take place in Thessaloniki on Wednesday, 11 February, with kickoff scheduled for 19:30 Central European Time. Here’s my take on the likely outcome and goal tally for this clash.
Match preview
PAOK approach the return leg of the Greek Cup semi-final in high spirits. In the Greek Super League, the team sits third in the standings, boasting solid performances and consistent results. They trail the league leaders by just three points and have played one game fewer.
In recent weeks, the "Black and Whites" have gone unbeaten in the league—after a series of wins in January and early February, PAOK drew 0-0 with Aris, and before that confidently dispatched Panserraikos (4-1), OFI (3-0), and Panetolikos (3-0), underlining their strong morale and attacking confidence.
The team has shown impressive firepower, especially at home, where they've netted at least two goals per match in recent outings. This highlights their attacking prowess and ability to control the game, maintaining their lead even under pressure from opponents.
In the 2025/26 season, PAOK have established themselves as one of the most consistent sides in Greece, with results that speak to their ambition not only in the Cup but also in the league. Notably, in the previous round, the Thessaloniki club eliminated the reigning Greek Cup holders, Olympiacos.
Panathinaikos are going through a tougher spell compared to their rivals: in the Super League, they’re hovering outside the top four, with results that have been far from impressive. At the season’s midpoint, the "Greens" have 32 points and sit only fifth.
In recent rounds, Panathinaikos have been inconsistent: some bright performances have been offset by defeats, including an away loss to AEK, where Benítez’s men struggled to contain the opponent’s attacking line. This highlights issues both in finishing and in defending during key phases of the match.
While Panathinaikos have posted decent attacking stats, these haven’t always translated into convincing victories—the team concedes goals even in matches where they are favorites, undermining their hopes for stability in the competition.
Nevertheless, Panathinaikos retain enough attacking potential to make a difference in this second-leg cup tie. Following their first-leg defeat to PAOK, the capital giants managed a surprise win over Olympiacos in Piraeus.
Match facts
- PAOK haven’t lost at home for over a year.
- Panathinaikos have kept clean sheets in their last two away matches.
- PAOK average 2.2 goals per game at home, while Panathinaikos average 1.1 goals per game on the road.
Probable lineups
- PAOK: Tsiftsis, Kenny, Lovren, Michailidis, Baba, Meïté, Ozdoev, Pelkas, Giakoumakis, Zivkovic, Despodov.
- Panathinaikos: Lafont, Kyriopoulos, Jedvaj, Ingason, Calabria, Gnezda, Swiderski, Sanches, Bakasetas, Zaroury, Tetteh.
H2H
- The first leg in Athens ended with a 1-0 victory for PAOK.
- Panathinaikos have failed to win in Thessaloniki in their last four visits.
Prediction
The hosts enter the match as favorites, and bookmakers are all but certain of their progression to the final, where they’ll attempt to win the Greek Cup for the first time in five years. Expect a tense and intriguing battle—I’m backing PAOK not to lose, with no more than 3.5 goals scored in total.
