The Matchday 1 clash of the Europa League 2025/26 group stage between Young Boys (Switzerland) and Panathinaikos (Greece) will take place on September 25 at the Stade de Suisse in Bern. Young Boys vs. Panathinaikos: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Young Boys
The Swiss team finished third in their domestic league last season, earning a spot in the playoffs for the Europa League group stage. Under Giorgio Contini, they defeated Slovan Bratislava in both matches (1-0 and 3-2). Last year, the club participated in the Champions League group stage but did not advance. The last time Young Boys played in the Europa League group stage was in 2020, where they collected 10 points and reached the round of 16.
- Young Boys have not lost in regular time in 9 of their last 13 Europa League matches (7 wins and 2 draws).
- At least 3 goals have been scored in 8 of their last 9 home matches in this tournament.
- Both teams scored in 4 of Young Boys' last 5 home games in this European competition.
Projected lineup for Young Boys (4-4-2)
Marvin Keller – Loris Benito, Jauan Hadjam, Sandro Lauper, Ryan Andrews – Edimilson Fernandes, Ryan Raveloson, Darian Maleš, Ebrima Colley – Christian Fassnacht, Chris Bedia.
Defender Gregory Wüthrich and midfielder Alwin Sanches will miss the game due to injuries.
Panathinaikos
The Greeks finished second in their domestic league, earning a place in the second qualifying round of the Champions League. However, they were eliminated immediately by Rangers. In the Europa League qualifiers, they advanced past Shakhtar Donetsk (0-0 in both legs, 4-3 on penalties) and Samsunspor (2-1 and 0-0). Panathinaikos last played in the Europa League group stage two years ago but did not progress from the group.
- Panathinaikos is unbeaten in regular time in their last 5 matches in this tournament (2 wins and 3 draws).
- At least one team failed to score in 6 of Panathinaikos' last 7 Europa League matches.
- The club has not conceded in regular time in their last 4 away matches in this European competition.
Projected lineup for Panathinaikos (4-2-3-1)
Alban Lafont – Sverrir Ingi Ingason, Giannis Kotsiras, Filip Mladenović, Tin Jedvaj – Adriano Bregu, Emmanouil Siopis – Martins Tete, Vicente Taborda, Anass Zaroury – Cyriel Dessers.
Midfielder Facundo Pellistri is unavailable due to injury.
Referee
Ricardo de Burgos (Spain)
Matches – 10 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 25;
Average yellow cards per match – 2.5;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 20;
Penalties – 40%.
Young Boys vs. Panathinaikos: Match Prediction
I anticipate that the upcoming match will not be high-scoring. This is mainly due to Panathinaikos' style of play in this European season. The Greeks played six matches across two European competitions this summer, and only one of those saw more than two goals.
Additionally, Panathinaikos tends to be very cautious defensively away from home. They played to 0-0 draws in their last two away European matches. Panathinaikos also failed to score in three away games in this European season. Moreover, Young Boys have only scored more than one goal in one of their last six Europa League matches.
My prediction: Total under 2.5 goals
