Panathinaikos vs Braga prediction 29.08.2023

• Competition: Champions League, Playoff Round, 2nd Leg
• Date: Tuesday, 29th August 2023
• Kickoff: 20:00 UTC +1 / 21:00 CEST
• Venue: Olympic Stadium of Athens "Spiros Louis" (Athens)

On Tuesday evening, the second leg of the Champions League Playoff Round will take place in Athens after a 2:1 win for Braga in Portugal. 

Last year, Panathinaikos had the best season in the previous seven years. Still, they once again failed to win the title as they finished second, five points behind the 1s-placed AEK. They were in a very good situation to win the title as they were tied with AEK at 75 points four rounds before the end, but with a terrible finish, they blew the opportunity to win the title after 13 years. 

Braga are mostly between the 3rd and 5th place in Liga Portugal in the last 20 years. Last season, they finished 3rd, 12 points away from the title. They were also solid in Taca de Portugal, but Porto beat them in the finals by 2:0. This season, if they succeed in reaching the Champions League group stage, that would be their first appearance since the 2012/13 season.

Panathinaikos vs Braga pick: Over 2.5 goals

Panathinaikos were five times over 2.5 goals in six matches in all competitions this season. At home, they always play a lot better and rarely fail to score. So far, they have scored six goals in three matches at Spiros Louis Stadium - two per game. 

Braga were all five times over 2.5 goals this season. And interestingly, they were much more efficient on the road. In two road games, vs TSC Backa Topola and Chaves, they scored eight goals total. 

In the first leg, we saw a 2:1 win for Braga, with Panathinaikos scoring their goal in stoppage time, which kept them alive before the second leg. But both teams created a lot of chances, and according to xG statistics, both teams should have scored around 1.5 goals. Now, in a game where Panathinaikos have to attack, we could see an exciting match, once again with at least three goals.