Match Preview

The new-look UEFA Europa League 2025/26  League Phase reaches its decisive Matchday 8 as Panathinaikos host AS Roma at the iconic Athens Olympic Stadium “Spyros Louis”. Under the single 36-team league-table format, every point matters  and this clash brings together two sides locked on the same record and the same points after five games.

Both Panathinaikos and Roma sit on 9 points from 3 wins and 2 defeats, with identical goal differences of +2. The Greek side have scored 9 goals and conceded 7, while Roma have netted 7 goals and shipped 5. That symmetry is reflected in the latest Europa League table, where Panathinaikos are provisionally around 14th and Roma 15th, right in the heart of the knockout play-off zone.

For Panathinaikos, this match is another major test in what has already been a memorable European campaign. Since the arrival of Rafa Benítez, the Greens have pieced together an excellent run of results across league, cup and Europe, including a statement win over Sturm Graz and an impressive away performance at Young Boys. Their blend of tactical discipline and smart transitions has made them one of the most improved sides in the competition.

Roma, meanwhile, remain one of the Europa League’s heavyweight names. After reaching the latter stages of recent editions, the Giallorossi once again look well-equipped for a deep run. A hard-fought 2–1 home win over Midtjylland on Matchday 4 showcased their resilience and ability to grind out results under pressure, even if a defeat away to Viktoria Plzeň earlier in the campaign served as a warning that there is little margin for error in this new league format.

With both clubs tied on points, goals and goal difference, this encounter in Athens has the feel of a genuine six-pointer. The winner would take a big step towards a stronger seeding  and keep faint top-eight hopes alive  while the loser risks slipping back into the crowded mid-table pack.

TV Broadcast and Livestreams

The Panathinaikos vs AS Roma showdown is part of the main Europa League matchday window and will be covered live by multiple official broadcast partners. In the UK, the game is scheduled in the standard Thursday evening slot on TNT Sports, while fans in North America can follow coverage via ESPN and Paramount+. In other regions, platforms such as DAZN, beIN Sports and local rights holders will carry the action.

Supporters should check local TV listings and official competition information to confirm the exact channels and streaming services for their country.

Match Information

Form Guide and League-Phase Records

Panathinaikos recent form: Under Benítez, Panathinaikos have found extra gears. A key highlight of their Europa League campaign was a 2–1 home victory over Sturm Graz, achieved with a clever tactical switch to a 3-5-2 system that balanced defensive solidity and attacking width. They also produced a standout 4–1 win away at Young Boys, underlining their ability to hurt opponents on the counter. Across their last several matches in all competitions, the Greens have amassed a high win percentage, turning the Athens Olympic Stadium into a difficult place to visit.

Roma recent form: Roma’s league-phase journey has been more up-and-down, but their ceiling remains high. A strong 2–1 home win against Midtjylland showcased their capacity to control tight games, while earlier fixtures have seen them trade blows with some of the competition’s bigger names. In domestic action, they continue to compete near the top end of Serie A, mixing solid defensive displays with moments of attacking flair, even if occasional lapses  such as a setback in Plzeň  have prevented an even stronger points total in the league phase.

*Positions are based on the latest Europa League league-phase table after five rounds; they may shift as other fixtures are played.

Head-to-Head History

Panathinaikos and Roma share a small but memorable history in European competition. Their most famous meetings came in the 2009/10 UEFA Europa League Round of 32, when Panathinaikos stunned the Italian side by winning both legs 3–2. The Greeks came from behind in Athens to secure a 3–2 first-leg victory, then repeated the scoreline in Rome, progressing 6–4 on aggregate in one of the most remarkable upsets of that season’s competition.

Those results give Panathinaikos a psychological edge in the historical record, but the current Roma squad is very different, and the context has changed completely. For Roma, this trip to Athens is an opportunity to level the ledger; for Panathinaikos, it is a chance to relive the spirit of 2010 and once again topple a European giant at home.

Tactical Outlook

Panathinaikos: Benítez’s structure and transitions

Rafa Benítez has quickly stamped his identity on Panathinaikos. Expect a side that is:

• Organised in a compact defensive block, with small distances between midfield and defence to deny Roma space between the lines.
• Flexible between back four and back three shapes, depending on personnel and match state, allowing wing-backs or full-backs to provide width.
• Dangerous in transition, looking to spring quickly through wide forwards and advanced midfielders once possession is won.
• Well-drilled at set-pieces, using rehearsed routines to exploit Roma’s defensive organisation at corners and free-kicks.

If Panathinaikos can combine their renewed tactical discipline with the intensity of the Athens crowd, they will believe they can unsettle Roma and carve out high-quality chances on the break.

AS Roma: controlled possession and attacking rotations

Roma typically look to dominate large parts of the game with the ball while maintaining a compact shape when out of possession. In Athens, their likely priorities include:

• Methodical build-up play from the back, using a deep midfielder to connect defence and attack and to dictate tempo.
• Rotations between forwards and attacking midfielders, creating overloads in half-spaces and pulling Panathinaikos’ back line out of shape.
• Controlled pressing, especially after losing possession in the final third, to prevent Panathinaikos from launching clean counters.
• Exploiting wide areas through overlapping full-backs and wingers, trying to stretch the home side horizontally and open gaps for late runs into the box.

Roma’s challenge will be to maintain patience and precision against a well-organised opponent, while ensuring they are not caught too open when Panathinaikos break forward.

Standings Context – League-Phase Table

*Based on the Europa League league-phase format: teams ranked 1–8 go straight to the Round of 16, 9–24 enter the knockout play-offs, and 25–36 are eliminated.

Match Outlook and Prediction

Predicted Final Score: Panathinaikos 1–1 AS Roma

On paper, this is one of the most finely balanced fixtures of Matchday 8. Both teams share the same record, the same points and the same goal difference, and both have shown the quality to beat strong opponents in this league phase.

Panathinaikos have the advantage of playing at home, backed by a passionate crowd and buoyed by their excellent run under Benítez. Roma, however, bring European experience, individual quality and a tactical structure that is built for high-pressure nights like this.

The most realistic expectation is a tight, tactical contest in which both sides enjoy periods of control but find it difficult to completely pull away. Panathinaikos’ energy and transitions, combined with Roma’s calm possession and experience, point towards a shared outcome. A predicted result of Panathinaikos 1–1 AS Roma reflects the balance of strengths on both sides and the high stakes that are likely to keep things cagey.

Important: This prediction is a football opinion only. It is not advice or encouragement to place bets. Any form of gambling is strictly for adults, must follow local laws, and should always be approached responsibly.