Even with a lengthy injury list, Panathinaikos have a significant advantage in squad strength over Víkingur. The Greek side may not expend all their resources in Iceland, but the underdogs are unlikely to avoid defeat.
After a three-match winless streak (two draws and one loss), Víkingur barely made it into the top 24 of the Europa Conference League. In their crucial clash with LASK (1:1), they struggled in possession (39% vs 61%) and conceded 1.04 xGA. Compounding their issues, starting full-back Karl Gunnarsson is suspended for this match. Since the start of the calendar year, Víkingur have lost four of their last five official matches, conceding a total of 17 goals in that span.
A poor domestic run, including losses to Olympiacos (0:1) and Aris (0:2), is unlikely to shake Panathinaikos' confidence as they return to European competition. They finished the group stage in dominant fashion, thrashing Dinamo Minsk (4:0), in a game where they generated 2.86 xG, and Fotis Ioannidis even scored from the halfway line. While Facundo Pellistri and Zeca Rodrigues remain sidelined, Bartlomiej Dragowski, Tin Jedvaj, and Karol Swiderski may still be included in the squad.
Víkingur's defensive struggles make it highly unlikely they can contain Panathinaikos' superior attacking quality. The Greek side should have no trouble securing a comfortable win, likely by a two- or three-goal margin.
