Lens vs Panathinaikos

Lens vs Panathinaikos livestream

Lens vs Panathinaikos
Lens vs Panathinaikos | score808.biz

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The UEFA Europa Conference League returns with an intriguing playoff tie as RC Lens hosts Panathinaikos in the first leg at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on August 22, 2024. Both teams enter this contest with high hopes of advancing, but only one will take the upper hand in this decisive first leg.

Lens: A French Resurgence

Lens, often referred to as "Les Sang et Or" (The Blood and Gold), has been a team on the rise in recent years. After earning promotion back to Ligue 1 in the 2019-20 season, Lens has firmly established itself as a formidable force in French football. The team has consistently challenged for European places, narrowly missing out on UEFA competitions several times.

The 2022-23 season was particularly memorable for Lens as they finished second in Ligue 1, just one point behind Paris Saint-Germain, almost securing their second-ever league title. Although they couldn’t replicate the same success last season, finishing seventh again, their strong domestic performance earned them a spot in the Europa Conference League playoffs.

This summer saw a significant change in leadership, with long-time manager Franck Haise departing for Nice, making way for Will Still, former Reims manager, to take the helm. Under Still's guidance, Lens enjoyed an unbeaten pre-season, winning five out of six matches and beginning their Ligue 1 campaign with a 1-0 victory over Angers.

Panathinaikos: Greek Giants Seeking Redemption

Panathinaikos, one of Greece's most storied football clubs, enters this match with mixed emotions. The 2022-23 season saw them narrowly miss out on the Super League Greece title after leading the regular season but slipping to second place in the post-split phase. Last season's fourth-place finish was a disappointment, but it secured their spot in the UEFA Europa League qualifiers.

After a convincing 6-1 aggregate victory over Botev Plovdiv in the second qualifying round, Panathinaikos faced Ajax in the third round. Despite a valiant effort, they lost the tie on penalties after an intense battle, dropping into the Europa Conference League as a result.

The team, managed by Diego Alonso, now faces the challenge of regrouping after a disappointing start to their domestic campaign, which included a 1-0 loss to Asteras Tripolis. With key players like Fotis Ioannidis being linked to transfers, Panathinaikos must focus on their current challenge in Europe.

Key Players and Team News

Lens: The hosts will be without Jimmy Cabot and Neil El Aynaoui, who are both sidelined due to injuries expected to keep them out until September. However, Lens has a formidable squad, with Wesley Said, who scored the winner against Angers, likely leading the attack alongside Florian Sotoca. The team's strong defensive record at home will be a crucial factor in this tie.

Panathinaikos: The visitors have injury concerns of their own, with Adam Cerin, Andraz Sporar, Bartlomiej Dragowski, and Giannis Kotsiras all doubts for this match. Despite this, Panathinaikos boasts a talented squad with experienced players like Tete and Zeca, who will be key to their chances. The uncertainty surrounding Ioannidis' future may be a distraction, but his presence in the lineup could make a significant impact.

Tactical Overview

Lens is expected to line up in a 3-4-1-2 formation, with a focus on maintaining a solid defensive structure while exploiting Panathinaikos on the counter-attack. Their home form has been impressive, losing just 13 of their 58 league fixtures since returning to Ligue 1, which will give them confidence heading into this match.

Panathinaikos, on the other hand, may opt for a 4-3-3 formation, aiming to control the midfield and create chances from wide areas. However, their recent form has been inconsistent, and they will need to be at their best to get a positive result away from home.

Prediction: Lens 2-0 Panathinaikos

Given Lens' strong home record and the challenges Panathinaikos has faced recently, the French side is favored to come out on top in this first leg. A solid defensive performance combined with clinical finishing could see Lens take a significant step towards the group stage of the Europa Conference League.

Head-to-Head and Form Guide

  • Lens Recent Form: WWLWLW
    • Defeated Angers 1-0 in their Ligue 1 opener.
    • Unbeaten in pre-season, with notable wins against Leicester City and Oud-Heverlee Leuven.
  • Panathinaikos Recent Form: WLLWL
    • Lost to Ajax on penalties in the Europa League qualifiers.
    • Suffered a 1-0 defeat to Asteras Tripolis in their latest league match.

This clash promises to be an intense encounter, with both teams eager to secure European football for the upcoming season. Lens will look to leverage their home advantage, while Panathinaikos will aim to bounce back from recent setbacks. The outcome of this first leg could heavily influence the direction of the tie, making it a must-watch for football fans.