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Ajax will welcome Panathinaikos to the Johan Cruijff ArenA (Amsterdam Arena) in the second leg of the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round on Thursday. They met in the first leg in Athens last week, with the Dutch side recording a 1-0 win thanks to Steven Berghuis' first-half strike.
The hosts extended their winning start to the season to four games in their Eredivisie campaign opener on Sunday. Kristian Hlynsson scored the match's only goal in the 45th minute as the hosts registered a 1-0 win over Heerenveen in Robin van Persie's first game as a senior team manager.
The visitors have enjoyed a week's rest to prepare for their trip to Amsterdam. The 1-0 loss in the first leg was their first loss of the season and they'll look to bounce back in this match.
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AFC Ajax Amsterdam vs Panathinaikos Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams have squared off six times in all competitions, including friendlies. All meetings have produced conclusive results, with the hosts leading 6-2 in wins.
- The visitors have failed to score in five of their eight meetings against the hosts, with just three games producing over 2.5 goals.
- The hosts have a 100% record in four games this season, keeping three clean sheets.
- Ajax are unbeaten at home in competitive games since November with their last defeat coming in the Europa League group stage against Brighton & Hove Albion.
- Panathinaikos have just one win in their last five away games in the Europa League, including qualifiers while suffering three defeats.
- After going winless in six games in the Europa League between August and December last year, the hosts have registered four consecutive wins in the competition.
AFC Ajax Amsterdam vs Panathinaikos Prediction
de Godenzonen have enjoyed a winning start to their 2024-25 season, keeping three clean sheets in four games. They have won five of their last six competitive meetings against the visitors, keeping four clean sheets while failing to score just once, and are strong favorites.
The Greens have just three wins in 12 meetings against Dutch teams, with two coming at home. Just one of their three wins in their last 11 games in the Europa League have come in their travels.
Considering the home advantage for the Dutch side and their dominance in this fixture, we expect the hosts to eke out a narrow win.
Prediction: AFC Ajax Amsterdam 2-1 Panathinaikos
AFC Ajax Amsterdam vs Panathinaikos Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Ajax to win
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Bertrand Traoré to score or assist any time - Yes
