Panathinaikos vs Lens Prediction & Betting Tips (29 August)

Panathinaikos Athens, failing to regain a championship title which has eluded it since the 2009-2010 season, has won the Greek Cup twice in the last 3 years 2022 and 2024. In the championship, Pana players lost in the first day in a home match played behind closed doors, before winning the second in a landslide last weekend against Levadiakos 1-0 with the return of its supporters. In Europe, present during the 2nd round of qualifying for the Europa League July 25 - August 1, Pana won the Bulgarians Botev Plovdiv 2-1/0-4, before falling to Ajax Amsterdam 0-1/ 1-0/ tab 13-12 Ajax. Reverted to C4, Panathinaikos therefore inherited RC Lens to challenge them in the play-off. In a boiling Bollaert stadium, the Greeks took on water in the first 20 during which Lens led 1-0 4', Frankowski, but the expulsion of Medina will give a different look to this meeting. At 11 vs 10 for more than 70 minutes, Pana didn't show much, trailing by 2 goals after Saïd's goal 34', 2-0, and back to believe it after the exploit of its attacker Ioannidis 53', 2-1. For its part, RC Lens underwent significant changes in the offseason. The departures of F.Haise, E.Wahi, and probably that of Danso to come.

The end of a generation after the departure of the new OGCN coach, but news that is written in capital letters with the fanfare arrival of Will Still. The ex-Reims coach has had a perfect start with his new team. First of all, the RCL pre-season caused a sensation after a draw against German champion Bayer Leverkusen 2-2 and a success against Leicester City 3-0 deprived of J.Vardy. Perfect beginnings conditioned by an ideal calendar. Indeed, Lens has the chance to get into rhythm with matches against SCO Angers and Stade Brestois. The northern club won the 1st 0-1, and the 2nd with a score of 2-0, still without conceding a goal, but with far too modest efficiency up front. Lens won the first leg against Pana 2-1. A victory or a draw would be enough for Will Still's men.

For a club with such pedigree and ambition, Panathinaikos possess a truly awful defensive record of late, failing to keep a clean sheet in eight consecutive Conference League matches, as well as managing just two shutouts in 20 top-flight fixtures. As for Lens, they have both scored and conceded in six of their last eight games at this elite level.