Panathinaikos will face Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League at Stadio Apóstolos Nikolaidis on February 19, 2026.

The upcoming match between these two teams is set to be a closely contested affair.

Panathinaikos has enjoyed success at home this season, securing 11 wins out of 21 matches.

On the other hand, Viktoria Plzen has shown consistency with 19 wins in their last 36 matches and has earned 2 victories in their last 4 away matches in the Europa League.

In their previous head-to-head encounter this season, Panathinaikos managed to secure a draw against Viktoria Plzen, highlighting the competitiveness between the two sides.

With both teams showcasing solid performances and a history of closely fought battles, the match is likely to be evenly matched.

Our algorithm predicts a draw between Panathinaikos and Viktoria Plzen.

Athens hosts a contest shaped by defensive identity. Panathinaikos arrive steady but unspectacular, while Viktoria Plzeň carry one of the competition’s most disciplined records into the tie. The Czechs progressed unbeaten through the league phase and conceded only three goals, whereas the Greek side advanced with a far looser campaign and a thinner margin for error.

Their previous meeting in December finished 0–0, and the trends since suggest a similar rhythm. Panathinaikos have scored just six goals across their last six matches and rarely open games quickly, yet they remain difficult to break down early, not conceding a first-half goal in that stretch. Plzeň’s pattern is the opposite: they start fast, scoring first in each of their last six fixtures and netting eight first-half goals in that period.

Momentum slightly favours the visitors. Plzeň are unbeaten in seven matches and undefeated away in the competition, while Panathinaikos have alternated results and rely heavily on controlled tempo rather than sustained attacking pressure. The first leg therefore becomes a contest of pacing, whether Benítez can slow the match enough to disrupt Plzeň’s structured buildup.

The tie pits control against structure. Panathinaikos will attempt to compress space and extend phases, trusting experience and organisation. Plzeň, meanwhile, depend on timing and efficiency, especially in early moments where their scoring patterns emerge.

If the tempo stays low, the game likely resembles their earlier stalemate. But if Plzeň score first, their defensive discipline and goalkeeping form make them particularly difficult to chase. The first leg therefore hinges less on chance volume and more on who dictates the opening twenty minutes.