The first leg of the second qualifying round of the 2025/26 Champions League between Rangers (Scotland) and Panathinaikos (Greece) will take place on July 22 at Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow. Rangers vs. Panathinaikos: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Rangers
For four consecutive years, the Scots have finished second in their national championship, securing a place in the Champions League. However, during this period, Rangers have only reached the group stage once in Europe's most prestigious tournament. Last season, the club was eliminated in the third qualifying round by Dynamo Kyiv (1-1, 0-2), after which the Scots moved on to the Europa League, where they reached the quarter-finals. In the Champions League, their best achievement is reaching the Round of 16 in the 2005/06 season.
In June, Russell Martin took over as head coach.
- Rangers have failed to win in 11 of their last 12 Champions League matches (3 draws, 8 losses).
- Both teams have scored in 6 of the last 7 games involving the Scots in this tournament.
- The club has conceded in their last 7 home matches in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Rangers (4-4-2)
Liam Kelly – Jefté, Robin Propper, Leon King, Max Aarons – Nicolas Raskin, Connor Barron, Oscar Cortes, Findlay Curtis – Kieran Dowell, Danilo.
Panathinaikos
The Greeks finished third in their national championship last season, earning a spot in the second qualifying round of the Champions League. The last time the team played in the Champions League was in the 2023/24 season, where they narrowly missed out on the group stage. Panathinaikos' best achievement in this tournament is reaching the quarter-finals in 2001. Last European season, the club started in the Europa League, then moved to the Conference League, reaching the Round of 16.
- Panathinaikos scored in 5 of their last 6 Champions League matches.
- The team has not won in 6 of their last 7 away matches in this tournament (2 draws, 4 losses).
- The Greeks have conceded at least one goal in 5 of their last 6 away matches in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Panathinaikos (4-3-3)
Bartlomiej Dragowski – Georgios Vagiannidis, Erik Palmer-Brown, Ahmed Touba, Georgios Kyriakopoulos – Adam Gnezda-Cerin, Facundo Pellistri, Anastasios Bakasetas – Fotis Ioannidis, Pedro Chirivella, Filip Djuricic.
Referee
Donatas Rumšas (Lithuania)
Matches – 12 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 36;
Average yellow cards per match – 3;
Red cards shown – 4;
Average fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 25%.
Rangers vs. Panathinaikos: Match Prediction
Both teams are traditionally strong at home, but their away results are significantly worse. Last European season, the Greeks managed to win away only against a Welsh representative in the Conference League (1 draw, 4 losses). However, it's worth noting that Panathinaikos scored in all matches during this period. Their problems arose from defensive errors, conceding 10 goals in 6 away matches.
The Scots have lost only once in their last five home matches in the Europa League (2 wins, 2 draws). In the higher-ranked tournament, Rangers are not as confident at home, but they usually lose only to top-tier teams, which Panathinaikos cannot be considered. Even against such opponents, the club is not shy about attacking: the Scots have scored in 7 of their last 9 home Champions League games. However, due to this style, Rangers' defense struggles, with only one clean sheet during this period.
Considering these facts, my prediction: Rangers will not lose and Total over 1.5 goals
