Panathinaikos plays Botev Plovdiv at home to begin their Europa League season.
Although PAO hasn’t yet begun the new domestic season, its results in exhibition matches against AEK Larnaca (3-1) and Netanya (1-0) are encouraging supporters in advance of their next matches.
Despite the departure of Brazil’s star player Bernard, Panathinaikos deserves credit for their home victory because they have made the Olympic Stadium in Athens a true stronghold.
However, in the first game of the new Parva Liga season, Botev Plovdiv defeated Botev Vratsa, thanks to braces from Martin Sekulic.
Although PAO is a formidable team at home, we are inclined to side with the Greeks despite the Bulgarians’ impressive performance in eliminating Maribor in the Europa League first qualifying round. Before the journey to Athens, there are no new injury concerns for the away team.
