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Panathinaikos Athens vs. Standard Liege, second leg of the 3rd qualifying round of the Champions League. It was a 0-0 draw in the first leg, result that keeps anything open today.
Panathinaikos still has a lot to go before starting the league and they played their first competitive match of the season vs. Standard … but it did not look like it, Panathinaikos showed very good fitness and tactical consistency and got a deserved draw on the road. The Athens side does not have the same top squad as they did in the past, but they are still a force to be reckoned with at this level in the qualifiers. Team news for Panathinaikos do not show big absences.
Standard almost won the Belgian league last season but in Europe they played horrible. I watched a couple of games in the Europa League group stages vs. Elfsborg and Esbjerg, Standard was a joke. The first game vs. Panathinaikos showed that maybe the domestic Belgian league is not yet ready for this level … Standard was unable to dominate the game and did not look like they were capable of winning it. On the other hand 0-0 at home is not such bad result and a goal in Greece would be gold for the Belgians. Standard seems in good form with 2 wins to start the league, 6-2 goal difference. Team news for Standard say a couple of players are unavailable, but no key men.
I think Panathinaikos actually is a little bit better team than Standard, but the Greeks still will have a very hard game against an in-form team who has the advantage to play competitive football at the moment. Considering the result in the first leg, I see a cautious match that will probably end in a draw, 0-0 or 1-1. Can’t see any side having the strength to win this game and with stakes big in the Champions League nobody will risk too much. Under 2,5 goals also may be a good bet but I think the odds are low and the draw is better value bet, so that will be my tip. Correct score prediction: Panathinaikos Athens – Standard Liege 1-1.
Pick: Draw
Odds: 3.40 @ Bet365
Stake: 5
Possible profit: 12
Event date: 5 August
