Celta Vigo vs Panathinaikos
Location: Europe
Competition: Europa League - Group Stage
Kick Off Time: 17:00 GMT
Date: 29.09.2016
Reason For Betting Tips
Celta Vigo had a difficult start to the season, losing their opening 3 league games but they look to just be sorting themselves out and are unbeaten in 4 coming into this one. They drew their opening Europa League game at Standard Liege 1-1 and would put themselves in a strong position with victory here ahead of a double-header with Dutch giants Ajax. They’ve had to try and cope with the loss of Nolito but would have been encouraged by their 2-0 win at Espanyol on Sunday, particularly with their goals coming from their two main attacking summer signings. Goals from Giuseppe Rossi and Pione Sisto both came in injury time and they will go into this game with real momentum as a result.
Panathinaikos have had a pretty decent campaign so far progressing through three qualifying rounds to make the group stage of the Europa League. However they were beaten 2-1 at home by Ajax in a bad-tempered group match a fortnight ago and defeat here would leave them really struggling to find a path through to the knock-out phase. They come into this match following a 0-0 draw at Panaitolikos in the league having comfortably won their opening two matches in the Greek top flight.
This will be a big occasion at Estadio de Balaídos, which hosts its first European game in 9 years. Celta are taking the competition quite seriously and will want to at the very least advance into the knock-out phase and they may just have a bit too much for Panathinaikos on the night. This will be a step up in class for the Greeks from the sides they met in the qualifying rounds and judging by their home defeat to Ajax last time out, they may just be a bit short on quality to really compete with the better sides at this stage in the competition.
Celta have found some form and are looking for their 3rd win in 9 days here so backing Celta Vigo to Win at 7/10 looks to offer value.
Celta Vigo: Predicted Starting Line-up
Inconsistent is the bet word to describe Celta Vigo at the moment, with two wins and two defeats from their opening five matches, although those victories have come back-to-back in the past fortnight, so clearly their star is in the ascendancy at the moment.
Panathinaikos: Predicted Starting Line-up
Top of the Greek Premier Division, Panathinaikos will be slightly disappointed not to follow up that good form in their opening Europa League encounter. They were reduced to nine men in a 1-2 defeat to Ajax, and so a point at least is required here.
Celta Vigo vs Panathinaikos: Head-to-Head Stats
A first here: Celta Vigo and Panathinaikos are yet to meet in a competitive contest.
Celta Vigo vs Panathinaikos: Prediction
The hosts here are just starting to find their feet in 2016/17 after a slow start, and as a side that prides themselves on being strong at home – W6 D4 L2 in all competitions of late – they will be confident ahead of the visit of Panathinaikos.
The visitors have won just two of their last twelve on the road in the Europa League, and 5/7 defeats they have suffered in that time have come by a margin of greater than one goal.
Celta Vigo have plenty of quality in their squad; names like Giuseppe Rossi, Pione Sisto and Pablo Hernandez ensure that they have enough to win any match, and that extra touch of class should prove too much for Panathinaikos here.
Celta Vigo vs Panathinaikos Betting Tips
The 7/10 available on a Celta Vigo victory is certainly worth investment given the Greek outfit’s struggles on the road in this competition, and with the Spaniards just building up to the very best form.
But the Spaniards have conceded in 12/15 and Panathinaikos have scored in 10/15 on the road, so let’s take on the Both Teams to Score market at 19/20.
