Viktoria Plzen vs Panathinaikos prediction 26.02.2026 | Europa League
Viktoria Plzen
Kick off:
Date:
Panathinaikos
1
2.10
X
3.48
2
3.96
Contents
- Competition: Europa League
- Date: 26th February 2026
- Kick-off: 17:45 UK / 18:45 CET
- Venue: Doosan Arena
A place in the round of 16 is on the line, and after last week’s 2-2 draw in Greece, this tie feels delicately balanced. Viktoria Plzen return home with no advantage, yet no damage either. The bookmakers lean slightly toward the Czech side. Even so, Panathinaikos arrive unbeaten in six Europa League matches, which adds a layer of doubt.
Viktoria Plzen vs Panathinaikos Head to Head (H2H) stats
-
Panathinaikos
2 : 2
Viktoria Plzen
Europa League
-
Panathinaikos
0 : 0
Viktoria Plzen
Europa League
The 2-2 first leg was only the second meeting between these clubs. They also drew in December during the League Phase. Both matches ended level, averaging exactly two goals per game. That symmetry is hard to ignore.
Viktoria Plzen team overview
Last season marked Viktoria Plzen’s return to the Europa League after five years away, and reaching the round of 16 felt like a statement. The Red and Blues now seem intent on repeating that run.
Martin Hyský’s side navigated the League Phase unbeaten, with three wins and five draws. Five clean sheets in those eight games underline their structure.
Still, there is a small concern. Only one of those three wins came at home. Denis Višinský, ever present in Europe this season, scored in the first leg and should anchor midfield again.
Jiří Panoš and Salim Fago Lawal are expected to lead the line. Goalkeeper Viktor Baier remains sidelined with a tendon injury, while Jan Paluska and Vaclav Mika are still doubtful.
Last matches of Viktoria Plzen
-
Viktoria Plzen
0 : 0
Sparta Prague
Chance Liga
-
Panathinaikos
2 : 2
Viktoria Plzen
Europa League
-
Sigma Olomouc
1 : 2
Viktoria Plzen
Chance Liga
-
Viktoria Plzen
3 : 1
Slovan Liberec
Chance Liga
-
Karvina
0 : 2
Viktoria Plzen
Chance Liga
Viktoria Plzen lineup
Goalkeeper
-
44
Florian Wiegele
Defenders
-
14
Merchas Doski
-
5
Karel Spáčil
-
40
Sampson Dweh
-
99
Amar Memić
Midfielders
-
19
Cheick Souaré
-
6
Lukáš Červ
-
17
Patrik Hrošovský
-
9
Denis Višinský
Forwards
-
70
Salim Fago Lawal
-
20
Jiří Panoš
Panathinaikos team overview
Panathinaikos have not gone beyond this stage since the old UEFA Cup days, which perhaps explains the cautious optimism around the club.
Last season ended in playoff heartbreak against Ajax on penalties. This time, Rafael Benítez’s men feel more mature. The Greens came through qualifying and lost only two of eight League Phase matches.
Away form has been solid as well, with two wins and a draw from four trips. A 2-0 victory over OFI in the league at the weekend keeps momentum ticking.
Georgios Kyriopoulos remains out long term, and Cyriel Dessers, Pedro Chirivella, Facundo Pellistri, Moussa Sissoko and Giannis Kotsiras are also unavailable.
Last matches of Panathinaikos
-
OFI Crete
0 : 2
Panathinaikos
Super League
-
Panathinaikos
2 : 2
Viktoria Plzen
Europa League
-
Panathinaikos
1 : 1
Larissa
Super League
-
PAOK
2 : 0
Panathinaikos
Greek Cup
-
Olympiacos Piraeus
0 : 1
Panathinaikos
Super League
Panathinaikos lineup
Goalkeeper
-
40
Alban Lafont
Defenders
-
14
Erik Palmer-Brown
-
5
Ahmed Touba
-
15
Sverrir Ingi Ingason
Midfielders
-
2
Davide Calabria
-
11
Anastasios Bakasetas
-
8
Renato Sanches
-
77
Giorgos Kyriakopoulos
Forwards
-
20
Vicente Taborda
-
7
Andrews Tetteh
-
72
Miloš Pantović
Prediction
Both meetings between these sides this season ended level, including last week’s 2-2 draw in Greece. Viktoria Plzen are unbeaten in their last eight Europa League matches, while Panathinaikos have avoided defeat in six straight in the competition. With five of Plzen’s last six European games finishing under 2.5 goals, a 1-1 draw feels reasonable.
Three reasons we expect under 2.5 goals in this game
- None of the last five Europa League games of Viktoria Plzen ended with more than two goals.
- Five of the last six Europa League games of Viktoria Plzen ended with under 2.5 goals.
- Bets on under 2.5 goals won in each of the last five away games of Viktoria Plzen.
Main prediction Viktoria Plzen - Panathinaikos
Under 2.5 goals
Best Odds:
1xBet
1.75
Viktoria Plzen vs Panathinaikos standings in Europa League
| League Stage | P | W | D | L |
G - A
|
GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Olympique Lyonnais | 8 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 18 - 5 | +13 | 21 |
| 2 | Aston Villa | 8 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 14 - 6 | +8 | 21 |
| 3 | FC Midtjylland | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 18 - 8 | +10 | 19 |
| 4 | Real Betis | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 13 - 7 | +6 | 17 |
| 5 | Porto | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 13 - 7 | +6 | 17 |
| 6 | Sporting Braga | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 11 - 5 | +6 | 17 |
| 7 | SC Freiburg | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 10 - 4 | +6 | 17 |
| 8 | Roma | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 13 - 6 | +7 | 16 |
| 9 | Genk | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 11 - 7 | +4 | 16 |
| 10 | Bologna | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 14 - 7 | +7 | 15 |
| 11 | VfB Stuttgart | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 15 - 9 | +6 | 15 |
| 12 | Ferencvárosi | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 12 - 11 | +1 | 15 |
| 13 | Nottingham Forest | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 15 - 7 | +8 | 14 |
| 14 | Viktoria Plzeň | 8 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 8 - 3 | +5 | 14 |
| 15 | Crvena Zvezda | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 7 - 6 | +1 | 14 |
| 16 | Celta de Vigo | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 15 - 11 | +4 | 13 |
| 17 | PAOK | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 17 - 14 | +3 | 12 |
| 18 | LOSC Lille | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 12 - 9 | +3 | 12 |
| 19 | Fenerbahçe | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 10 - 7 | +3 | 12 |
| 20 | Panathinaikos | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 11 - 9 | +2 | 12 |
| 21 | Celtic | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 13 - 15 | -2 | 11 |
| 22 | Ludogorets | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 12 - 15 | -3 | 10 |
| 23 | Dinamo Zagreb | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 12 - 16 | -4 | 10 |
| 24 | Brann | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 9 - 11 | -2 | 9 |
| 25 | Young Boys | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 10 - 16 | -6 | 9 |
| 26 | Sturm Graz | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 - 11 | -6 | 7 |
| 27 | FCSB | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 9 - 16 | -7 | 7 |
| 28 | Go Ahead Eagles | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 6 - 14 | -8 | 7 |
| 29 | Feyenoord | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 11 - 15 | -4 | 6 |
| 30 | Basel | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 9 - 13 | -4 | 6 |
| 31 | Salzburg | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 10 - 15 | -5 | 6 |
| 32 | Rangers | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 - 14 | -9 | 4 |
| 33 | Nice | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 7 - 15 | -8 | 3 |
| 34 | FC Utrecht | 8 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 5 - 15 | -10 | 1 |
| 35 | Malmö FF | 8 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 - 15 | -11 | 1 |
| 36 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | 8 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 2 - 22 | -20 | 1 |