The UEFA Europa League third qualifying round delivers a blockbuster as Panathinaikos host Shakhtar Donetsk at Olympic Stadium of Athens on August 7, 2025. The Greek side, fresh off a Champions League qualifying exit, face a battle-tested Ukrainian outfit aiming to continue their European surge, promising a high-octane first-leg clash.
Scheduled for 18:00 GMT+0 on August 7, 2025, at the 75,000-capacity Olympic Stadium of Athens, this Europa League third qualifying round first-leg match will be officiated by Erik Lambrechts from Belgium. Panathinaikos aim to leverage their home advantage, while Shakhtar, buoyed by a dominant qualifying run, look to take a lead back to Ukraine.
Betting Tips and Match Insights
Get set for the Panathinaikos vs Shakhtar Donetsk prediction today with our expert insights. Panathinaikos’s home strength meets Shakhtar’s attacking prowess, setting up a tight Europa League qualifier. With no recent head-to-head history, their current form offers critical betting clues. The stats from their recent matches and European campaigns will guide your wagers. Let’s unpack the numbers for your Panathinaikos vs Shakhtar Donetsk betting tips.
Panathinaikos Results
Panathinaikos, under Rui Vitoria, are licking their wounds after a Champions League qualifying exit but showed resilience in their domestic campaign. Their mixed pre-season and recent draw highlight areas for improvement. Here’s a look at their last five matches across all competitions.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result | Outcome |
| 30/07/25 | CL | Panathinaikos vs Rangers | 1-1 | D |
| 22/07/25 | CL | Rangers vs Panathinaikos | 2-0 | L |
| 16/07/25 | CF | Westerlo vs Panathinaikos | 1-3 | W |
| 12/07/25 | CF | Panathinaikos vs Braga | 1-2 | L |
| 09/07/25 | CF | Panathinaikos vs Schalke | 0-0 | D |
Panathinaikos’s form shows one win, two draws, and two losses in their last five. Their 1-1 draw with Rangers, despite a 3-1 aggregate loss, showed fight, with Filip Djuricic scoring. The 3-1 win at Westerlo highlights attacking potential, but losses to Rangers and Braga expose defensive gaps. Their 51.7% average possession and 1.7 goals per game are solid, but conversion remains an issue. Azzedine Ounahi’s four goals are a key asset.
Shakhtar Donetsk Results
Shakhtar Donetsk, led by their coaching staff, have started their season in top form, dominating both domestically and in Europa League qualifiers. Their 6-2 aggregate win over Besiktas underscores their attacking depth. Here’s their last five matches across all competitions.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result | Outcome |
| 03/08/25 | PL | Epitsentr vs Shakhtar Donetsk | 0-1 | W |
| 31/07/25 | EL | Shakhtar Donetsk vs Besiktas | 2-0 | W |
| 24/07/25 | EL | Besiktas vs Shakhtar Donetsk | 2-4 | W |
| 18/07/25 | CF | Shakhtar Donetsk vs Triglav | 0-1 | L |
| 17/07/25 | EL | Ilves vs Shakhtar Donetsk | 0-0 | D |
Shakhtar’s form is strong, with three wins, one draw, and one loss in their last five. Their 6-2 aggregate over Besiktas, including a 4-2 away win, showcases their firepower, averaging 2.2 goals per game. The 1-0 win at Epitsentr, with Kaua Elias scoring late, shows clutch finishing. Their pre-season loss to Triglav was a blip, but their 58.8% possession and tight defense, conceding just 1.0 goals per game, are strengths. Artem Bondarenko’s three goals and four assists are pivotal.
Panathinaikos vs Shakhtar Donetsk Head-to-Head
Panathinaikos and Shakhtar Donetsk have no recent competitive meetings, making this Europa League qualifier a fresh encounter. Without direct head-to-head data, we rely on their European and domestic form for insights. Their respective strengths suggest a closely fought battle.
With no prior clashes, Panathinaikos’s home record in European qualifiers contrasts with Shakhtar’s strong away form, scoring in 11 straight road games. Shakhtar’s experience in high-stakes ties gives them a slight edge, but Panathinaikos’s home crowd could level the playing field.
Predicted Starting Lineups for Panathinaikos vs Shakhtar Donetsk
The UEFA Europa League third qualifying round clash on August 7, 2025, at Olympic Stadium of Athens will see Panathinaikos and Shakhtar Donetsk field their strongest available squads, with these predicted lineups showcasing their tactical approaches. Panathinaikos aim to leverage their home advantage, while Shakhtar look to extend their dominant qualifying form. Below are the expected starting XIs, with player positions based on the latest team news.
Panathinaikos Predicted Lineup
Dragowski (GK), Kotsiras (DF), Schenkeveld (DF), Jedvaj (DF), Mladenovic (DF), Maksimovic (MF), Cerin (MF), Ounahi (AM), Djuricic (AM), Swiderski (AM), Ioannidis (FW)
Shakhtar Donetsk Predicted Lineup
Riznyk (GK), Konoplya (DF), Bondar (DF), Matviyenko (DF), Azarovi (DF), Bondarenko (MF), Kryskiv (MF), Sudakov (MF), Zubkov (MF), Kevin (MF), Elias (FW)
Key Factors to Watch
To craft a precise Panathinaikos vs Shakhtar Donetsk match prediction, zoom in on the elements that could sway this Europa League qualifier. Form, injuries, and tactical battles will shape the outcome at Olympic Stadium. Here are eight critical points to consider.
- Panathinaikos have scored in four of their last five matches;
- Shakhtar are unbeaten in their last three competitive games;
- Panathinaikos’s Azzedine Ounahi has four goals this season;
- Shakhtar’s Artem Bondarenko has three goals and four assists;
- Panathinaikos lost 3-1 on aggregate to Rangers in qualifiers;
- Shakhtar’s defense conceded just three goals in their last five games;
- Panathinaikos’s home form saw them draw their last European game;
- Shakhtar’s Kaua Elias scored a late winner in their recent league match.
Free Tips on Panathinaikos vs Shakhtar Donetsk
To place smart bets on the Panathinaikos vs Shakhtar Donetsk Europa League qualifier, lean on the stats from their recent performances and lack of head-to-head history. This August 7, 2025, clash at Olympic Stadium of Athens pits Panathinaikos’s home resilience against Shakhtar’s clinical away form. Here are five betting tips, drawn from statistical insights, to guide your wagers.
- Examine Recent Scoring Trends: Shakhtar scored in all five of their last matches, averaging 2.2 goals, while Panathinaikos netted in four; consider betting on both teams to score.
- Check Olympic Stadium’s Pitch: The natural grass, if rain-soaked, could slow Shakhtar’s quick counters, favoring Panathinaikos’s possession play; monitor weather updates.
- Factor in Home Fan Boost: Panathinaikos’s passionate crowd can spark early aggression; bets on a first-half Panathinaikos goal hold value.
- Assess Shakhtar’s Schedule Fatigue: Their recent qualifiers and league game may cause a sluggish start; Panathinaikos could exploit early gaps.
- Study Referee Erik Lambrechts’s Style: Known for strict calls, Lambrechts might issue cards in this intense tie; explore prop bets on bookings.
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Panathinaikos vs Shakhtar Donetsk Prediction 2025
For the Panathinaikos vs Shakhtar Donetsk prediction 2025, I’m backing Shakhtar Donetsk to win 1-0. Their dominant 6-2 aggregate over Besiktas and 1-0 league win at Epitsentr, with Kaua Elias’s late strike, highlight their clinical edge and defensive solidity, conceding just one goal per game. Artem Bondarenko’s three goals and four assists add firepower, while their 11-game away scoring streak in qualifiers is ominous. Panathinaikos, despite Azzedine Ounahi’s four goals, faltered in their Champions League exit to Rangers, and their mixed pre-season (two losses, two draws) shows inconsistency. The Panathinaikos vs Shakhtar Donetsk odds, with Shakhtar at 2.60 and Panathinaikos at 2.43, reflect a tight contest, but Shakhtar’s +0.25 Asian Handicap at 1.66 offers value. With no head-to-head history, Shakhtar’s experience and form tilt the scales, though Panathinaikos’s home crowd could keep it close. Expect a cautious, low-scoring game, with Shakhtar’s efficiency securing a narrow first-leg lead.
Our Prediction: Panathinaikos 0-1 Shakhtar Donetsk
| Prediction Type | Prediction | Odds |
| Match Result | Shakhtar Donetsk Win | 2.6 |
| Both Teams to Score | No | 2.22 |
| Total Goals | Under 2.5 | 2.02 |
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