Panathinaikos vs Villareal

This is an amazing Champions League streak of results that we are having. Tom Allen got it just right once again in predicting that the Spanish Villareal would simply be too strong for Panathinaikos. A 2-1 victory later and it was the Yellow Submarines who easily progressed to the quarter-finals.

Greek teams have been notoriously poor travellers in European competition over the years but there have been signs in recent seasons that sides from the Super League are becoming more efficient on their travels and Panathinaikos managed to emerge unscathed from their trip to play Villarreal at El Madrigal a fortnight ago. That said, the Yellow Submarine dominated for long periods and there was clearly a gulf in class between the pair.

Giorgos Karagounis’ opener in Spain two weeks ago, against the run of play, puts the Athens club in pole position to qualify for the last eight of the Champions League but I cant help but feel they’ve been put in on the short side for the return leg on Tuesday and will have to work very hard against a side that currently lies fourth in La Liga if they are to progress. I’m happy to have the visitors and the draw on side by laying the hosts at around the 2.50 mark.

Villarreal’s form in Europe this season has been in direct contrast to their consistent domestic efforts but they showed more than enough in two matches against reigning champions Manchester United in the group stage to suggest they are more than capable of mixing it with the big clubs and will still fancy their chances of qualifying. Giuseppe Rossi’s equalising penalty made their task somewhat easier, although they are still underdogs to progress, and Pana enter the match in a precarious position.

A 1-1 draw away from home is an excellent result but you get the feeling that Henk Ten Cate’s men could be looking for the final whistle from the early moments of the clash, a goalless draw would be enough for the hosts, and Villarreal look perfectly equipped to hit them on the break.

Manuel Pelligrini is sure to ask his side to be patient but in Rossi, Llorente and Cazorla he has men that can change a game and if the away team can frustrate for long periods then the fanatical home fans are bound to get nervous as the minutes tick by.

Having started the La Liga season brightly, Villarreal’s form dipped around the winter break. They’ve bounced back in good style however – a 1-0 win over Espanyol on the weekend hauled them into fourth – and have generally done well on their travels throughout the campaign. Just three defeats domestically is a fair effort this far through the season and I think they are good enough to earn at least a share of the spoils in a game they basically have to win.