Panathinaikos vs Sporting Braga Match Analysis and Prediction

Panathinaikos vs Sporting Braga Match Analysis & Prediction

Panathinaikos

29/08/2023 10:00 pm

Sporting Braga

by Vincent

1 month ago 0 31

DISCLAIMER: All odds are quoted at time the prediction went live. Check the sports book for updated odds

Protecting a narrow 2-1 lead from the first leg of their Champions League qualifying playoff tie, Sporting Braga travel to Greece to face Panathinaikos in Tuesday’s return fixture.

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Braga were seconds away from taking a two-goal lead to Athens, but a last-gasp response from Panathinaikos has the Greek side in with a strong chance at salvation.

With a full eight days to rest and recuperate from their thrilling penalty-shootout win over Marseille in round three, Panathinaikos had little to fear when they faced Braga at Estadio Municipal, and the Greek giants managed to keep their hosts at bay until the half-time whistle sounded.

However, Panathinaikos’ defensive resilience was ultimately broken through Abel Ruiz before Alvaro Djalo doubled Braga’s advantage, but with five minutes of injury time on the clock, Daniel Mancini came up with a potetially priceless response to reduce the arrears.

Ivan Jovanovic’s side are not down-and-out by any means, and a comprehensive 3-0 Greek Super League victory over Volos at the weekend served as the perfect warm-up to their imminent continental contest.

Braga have reguarly emerged onto the field of the Europa League anthem on Thursday nights – taking part in the continent’s secondary tournament in each of the last four seasons – but a Champions League homecoming is now within touching distance.

Artur Jorge’s side made light work of Serbian foes Backa Topola in the third qualifying round with a 7-1 aggregate victory, while they also recovered from a sticky start to their Primeira Liga campaign before beating Panathinaikos last week, overcoming Chaves 4-2 away from home,

The Archbishops have been blessed with a hiatus from Primeira Liga action to prepare for a taxing trip to Athens, where history will also be on their side.

Braga’s only two Champions League proper appearances so far have come from the qualifying path, as they beat Sevilla 5-3 over two legs at this stage in 2010, two years before a tense penalty-shootout victory over Udinese, although the less said about their group-stage records on both occasions the better.

Panathinaikos vs. Sporting Braga Head to head

These two teams have previously met just once in the first leg of this tie, with Braga winning 2-1 on home soil.

23/08/2023

Sporting Braga

2

Panathinaikos

1

Champions League
29/08/2023

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29/08/2023

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29/08/2023

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29/08/2023

Panathinaikos

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Sporting Braga

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Champions League

Panathinaikos Team News

With no injury concerns arising from their first-leg defeat, Jovanovic had the luxury of making several changes for their league opener at the weekend, where his side also emerged unscathed on the fitness front.

Fotis Ioannidis has made a strong case to dislace Andras Sporar at the tip of the attack, and a recall to the number 10 role should be in order for Filip Djuricic.

Panathinaikos's Last 5 Matches

01/08/2023

Panathinaikos

2

Dnipro-1

2

Champions League
09/08/2023

Panathinaikos

1

Marseille

0

Champions League
15/08/2023

Marseille

2

Panathinaikos

1(P)

Champions League
23/08/2023

Sporting Braga

2

Panathinaikos

1

Champions League
26/08/2023

Panathinaikos

3

Volos NFC

0

Super League 1

Sporting Braga Team News

Jorge was forced into an unwanted early substitution in last week’s first leg, as midfield screen Al-Musrati lasted just 36 minutes before having to be replaced, having apparently suffered a foot sprain following a tackle.

It remains to be seen whether he will be able to travel to Athens with his teammates, so Andre Horta could instead form the double pivot with Vitor Carvalho.