Panathinaikos vs AEL

The Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium is set for a Super League Round 21 clash this Sunday, February 15, 2026, as Rafael Benítez’s Panathinaikos (5th, 29 points) hosts Savvas Pantelidis’s AEL Larissa (10th, 19 points). Kick-off is scheduled for 19:00 UTC.

Panathinaikos enters this fixture looking to recover their domestic footing after a mixed start to the year. Meanwhile, AEL—affectionately known as the "Queen of the Plains"—has proven to be a stubborn opponent for the Greek giants, having held them to a 2–2 draw in their previous meeting this season.

Match Information

Panathinaikos: The Benítez Project

Since taking over in October 2025 on a record-breaking contract, Rafa Benítez has emphasized tactical discipline and European-level organization. While the "Greens" recently suffered a heavy 4–0 defeat to AEK Athens, their home form remains formidable, bolstered by convincing 3–0 wins over Panserraikos and Aris.

Team News and Selection:

• Injury Crisis: Benítez is managing a significant injury list. Key creative forces Facundo Pellistri and Filip Đuričić are sidelined, along with defensive midfielder Manolis Siopis (out until March).

• Missing Firepower: Striker Cyriel Dessers is also ruled out, placing the scoring burden on Alexander Jeremejeff or Andraž Šporar.

• Defensive Anchor: Despite recent European frustrations (including a 1–1 draw with Roma), Tin Jedvaj and Sverrir Ingi Ingason remain the core of the Benítez backline.

• Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Dragowski; Vagiannidis, Jedvaj, Ingason, Mladenović; Arão, Maksimović; Tetê, Bakasetas, Mancini; Jeremejeff.

AEL Larissa: Pantelidis’s Resilient Return

Promoted as champions of Super League 2, AEL has fought hard to maintain their top-flight status. Under Savvas Pantelidis, appointed in December 2025, the team has found a new level of resilience, currently sitting 10 points clear of the bottom.

Team News and Selection:

• Defensive Focus: AEL has seen a trend of Under 2.5 goals in all of their last five matches. They are masters of the "low block."

• Key Man: Amath Tetteh has been their highest-rated performer recently and will be the primary target for counter-attacks.

• Minor Absence: Veteran Athanasios Papageorgiou is a doubt due to injury, but the squad is otherwise largely at full strength.

• Predicted XI (4-5-1): Melissas; Kaldelis, Stamatopoulos, Shumakhov, Frydek; Tetteh, Andrada, K. Papageorgiou, Malle, Acosta; Moraitis.

? Head-to-Head (H2H) and Key Stats

• Season Record: The reverse fixture in December ended in a thrilling 2–2 draw, with AEL clawing back a point at home.

• Historical Advantage: Panathinaikos holds the upper hand historically with 7 wins to AEL's 2 in their last 14 meetings.

• Defensive Wall: AEL has kept clean sheets in three of their last five league games, including a 1–0 win over Aris.

• Home Fortress: Panathinaikos has not lost at the Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium in their last four domestic league matches.

Tactical Preview and Prediction

Expect a classic "Attack vs. Defense" scenario. Benítez will likely set Panathinaikos up to dominate possession, utilizing Tasos Bakasetas to find gaps in AEL's compact lines. However, Pantelidis is a specialist at frustrating the league's bigger clubs, and AEL will look to exploit Panathinaikos's relative lack of pace in transition following the loss of Pellistri.

While AEL's defensive organization is impressive, the individual quality of the "Greens" at home—combined with Benítez's systematic approach—should see the hosts take all three points, likely in a low-scoring affair.

Final Score Prediction: Panathinaikos 2–0 AEL