Panathinaikos vs Samsunspor Prediction: Turks can frustrate hosts in Athens

Panathinaikos dropped into the Uefa Europa League following their Champions League qualification defeat to Rangers, and the Greek side will hope to fare better when Samsunspor visit the Olympic Stadium of Athens on Thursday (19:00 BST).

Below are my Panathinaikos vs Samsunspor predictions, supported by all the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Tasos Bakasetas missed the Europa League qualifier against Shakhtar Donetsk, but the experienced midfielder could return for Panathinaikos against Samsunspor.

Football Odds

Filip Djuricic is struggling with a calf injury, Tin Jedvaj has an ankle problem, and Georgios Kyriopoulos is a long-term absentee.

Samsunspor have been busy in the transfer market this summer, with Afonso Sousa, Antoine Makoumbou, Joe Mendes, Logi Tomasson, Toni Borevkovic, Anthony Musaba and Richie Omorowa making the move to the north coast of Turkey.

Thomas Reis will be hoping the new arrivals can see his side to success in the first leg of this Europa League play-off tie with Panathinaikos.

Today's Football Fixtures

Musaba should be fit to make the visit to Greece, but Samsunspor could be without winger Carlo Holse.

Panathinaikos vs Samsunspor Odds

Panathinaikos are red-hot 4/7 chances to take a first-leg advantage, while Samsunspor are 9/2, or an 18.2% chance, and the draw is available at 11/4.

Double Chance - Draw or Samsunspor @ 13/10

Panathinaikos have traditionally been tough to beat at their Athens base, but the air of invincibility has dispersed a little of late.

The Greens won only three of their final eight matches of last term, and that includes a 1-0 home defeat to great rivals Olympiakos.

Rui Vitoria’s men have failed to win any of their four European matches this season, and they only made it through to the Europa League play-off round following a fortunate penalty shootout success over Shakhtar Donetsk.

Samsunspor strengthened their squad in the summer, and they have started the Turkish season with back-to-back victories; the Red Lightning look capable of at least avoiding defeat in Greece.

Total Goals - Under 2.5 @ 4/5

Panathinaikos have scored only one goal in four European matches against Rangers and Shakhtar Donetsk this term, and attacking does appear to be the weak point of their squad.

Samsunspor have conceded only six goals in their last eight matches, and the net seems unlikely to bulge too often in Athens.

Taking under 2.5 goals looks like another decent play for Thursday night’s tie.

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