On Thursday, Ferencvaros will host Panathinaikos in a crucial Europa League match, both teams aiming for victory. Currently, Ferencvaros is placed sixth in the League Phase table and remains unbeaten. In contrast, Panathinaikos sits at 15th, just three points adrift from the top eight.
Match Preview: Ferencvaros vs. Panathinaikos
Ferencvaros kicked off their European campaign in the Champions League qualifiers, achieving victories over Noah and Ludogorets. They did face a setback losing to Qarabaq in the playoffs, but this left them in the Europa League. Under the management of Robbie Keane, the team has excelled in the League Phase, defeating notable opponents such as Genk, Red Bull Salzburg, and Rangers. They’ve also drawn against Viktoria Plzen and Fenerbahce.
With their current form, Ferencvaros is assured of a spot in the playoffs and is well-positioned to advance to the last 16. They will be competing against only a few unbeaten teams in the tournament like Real Betis and Freiburg. Domestically, Ferencvaros ranks second in the Hungarian League, trailing leaders Gyori Eto by just one point as they seek their eighth consecutive title. The team is on a high note, having secured five wins in their last six matches, with their latest victory being a narrow 1-0 win against Diosgyor on December 19.
Panathinaikos’ Performance
In contrast, Panathinaikos has experienced a rollercoaster performance in the Europa League. They began their campaign with a win over Young Boys but suffered defeats to Go Ahead Eagles and Feyenoord. However, since Rafael Benitez took charge, they have bounced back, recording wins against Malmo and Sturm Graz, along with a goalless draw against Viktoria Plzen.
In the Greek Super League, Panathinaikos is currently fifth, nine points behind the top four. They recently faced a considerable setback with a 4-0 loss to AEK Athens and will aim to recover against Ferencvaros. A win on Thursday could significantly enhance their qualification chances for the next round, especially with a challenging matchup against AS Roma approaching.
Team News and Lineups
- Ferencvaros: They will miss midfielder Alex Toth, recently sold to Bournemouth, and top scorer Barnabas Varga, who transferred to AEK Athens.
- Naby Keita: The former Liverpool star is expected to feature after a permanent move from Wolfsburg.
- New Signings: Elton Acolatse could lead the attack, and Mariano Gomez is likely to start in defense.
- Goalkeeper: David Grof is anticipated to retain his position with Denes Dibusz sidelined by injury.
- Panathinaikos: They are set to field Andreas Tetteh, a recent addition from Kifisia, as a forward.
- Supporting Players: Facundo Pellistri and Anass Zaroury will likely provide offensive support.
- Midfield: Pedro Chirivella is expected to start alongside Adam Gnezda Cerin.
- Goalkeeper: Alban Lafont will guard the net.
Predictions
Based on form and current standings, many analysts predict a close match with Ferencvaros having the edge. The anticipated scoreline is a narrow 1-0 victory for Ferencvaros. They enter the match as the stronger side and a win is crucial for both their European ambitions and domestic aspirations.
