Champions League
2025-07-30 - Panathinaikos vs Rangers
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: UEFA Champions League Second Qualifying Round Second Leg
Wednesday 30th July 2025 - Kick Off 7pm
Preview
There will be plenty of regret in the Panathinaikos dressing room after the defeat in Glasgow, especially as they had been the stronger team before allowing Rangers to lead against the run of play. Subsequently being reduced to ten men and conceding a second goal has put Panathinaikos in a tough spot in this Champions League Qualifier, but the home players are still confident that they can turn things around back in front of their own supporters.
Before the removal of the away goals rule, a 2-0 lead for Rangers heading to Athens would have felt very significant.
Take nothing away from the Scottish Premiership club in terms of the lead they are protecting this week, but things can change very quickly in the tie. Previously, scoring a goal here would have put Rangers in complete command, but the first goal still feels important in this Second Leg.
If Panathinaikos were able to get in front, you would feel the momentum could carry them forward, especially as they had the better attacking numbers in the First Leg, despite playing with ten men during the second half.
Panathinaikos were beaten in the Europa League Qualifiers last season, but they did manage to earn a place in the Knock Out Rounds of the Conference League before losing out to Fiorentina. The side won their last 4 home games in Europe though and Panathinaikos can still create a host of issues for Rangers in this Second Leg.
Domestic action gets underway again this weekend for Rangers and they are desperate to push rivals Celtic much more than they did last time around. However, in recent seasons, Rangers have had more consistent success in UEFA competitions compared with Celtic and Russell Martin will be very pleased with the result from his first game in charge, even if he feels his team need to improve to earn a spot in the Third Qualifying Round.
In recent years, the European successes produced by Rangers have tended to be outside of the Champions League. They were beaten by Dynamo Kyiv in the Qualifying Rounds last season and by PSV Eindhoven previously, but Rangers have followed up by reaching the Last 16 and Quarter Final of the Europa League when dropped down a level.
Rangers have lost 2 of their last 9 away European ties played against Manchester United and Athletic Bilbao, but they have won 3 times in that run. The most impressive win came in the Last 16 of the Europa League earlier in the calendar year when Rangers won 1-3 at Fenerbahce.
This is the third time Panathinaikos have hosted Rangers and the previous 2 have both ended in 1-1 draws with the most recent being in 2007/08.
Prediction
A strong performance from Jack Butland helped Rangers weather the early storm and they were eventually able to lead Panathinaikos 2-0 ahead of the Second Leg in Athens.
Another resolute effort is going to be needed if Rangers are going to earn a spot in the Third Qualifying Round of the Champions League, but this will be a real test for them.
Panathinaikos have won 4 in a row at home in European competition, although they will respect the fact that a couple of previous home games against Rangers have ended 1-1. Last season Rangers also earned a 1-1 draw at Olympiacos in the League Phase of the Europa League, but containing the hosts might be tough in what is Russell Martin's second game in charge.
Over the last couple of years, Rangers have proven to be a stubborn team to beat in European competition with just 2 losses in 9 away ties played. However, those both occurred earlier in the calendar year and Panathinaikos may have enough to hurt Rangers, as long as they are a bit more clinical in the final third.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Panathinaikos 2-1 Rangers
