Panathinaikos welcome Paksi SE for the second leg of their Europa Conference League second qualifying-round tie on Thursday, July 30, 2026. The Greek side hold a narrow advantage after winning the opening meeting 2-1 on July 23, but the contest remains open after Paksi SE scored in the 71st minute of that game. The winner over two legs will progress to the third qualifying round and face either Spartak Trnava or CSKA 1948. Panathinaikos have the lead and home advantage in Athens, while Paksi SE arrive after responding to their first-leg defeat with an emphatic domestic victory. With both teams producing strong scoring numbers alongside some defensive vulnerability, the second leg presents an intriguing balance between Panathinaikos protecting their advantage and Paksi SE chasing the goal they need to revive the tie.

Panathinaikos Recent Form and Key Statistics

Panathinaikos showed determination in the first leg, securing a 2-1 away victory in what was their first competitive match of the season. They had previously played four friendlies, winning three and losing one, so the success against Paksi SE continued an encouraging run of results. Across their last five matches, the Greens have recorded four wins and one defeat, scoring an average of 2.6 goals and conceding 1.2 per game. Those figures underline the attacking productivity that has helped them establish a narrow lead in this qualifying contest.
Their Europa Conference League season record currently stands at one win from one match, with averages of 2.0 goals scored and 1.0 conceded. Panathinaikos have also scored at least once in each of their last 13 matches in this competition. That sequence suggests they have regularly found a route to goal on the European stage, an important factor as they attempt to finish the job at home rather than simply defend the first-leg score.
Home form in the competition provides another positive reference point. Panathinaikos have won their last four Europa Conference League matches on home soil, with all four victories coming during the 2024-25 campaign in which they reached the round of 16. Their wider results have not always guaranteed goals, however: three of their last ten matches finished with under 0.5 total goals, while the same was true in three of their last 14 home fixtures. Even so, their long scoring run in this competition and their recent average of 2.6 goals offer reasons for confidence before the return match.

Paksi SE Recent Form and Key Statistics

Paksi SE responded quickly to the disappointment of the first leg by defeating Ferencvárosi 4-2 at home on July 26. That result demonstrated their ability to recover and score heavily, keeping their confidence intact before the trip to Athens. The Hungarian side have won three and lost three of their last six games, while their most recent five-match record contains three victories and two defeats. Across those five fixtures, they have averaged an impressive 3.0 goals scored but have also conceded 2.2 per match.

That combination captures both the opportunity and the risk facing Paksi SE. Their attacking output indicates that they can threaten the home side and that a one-goal first-leg deficit is not insurmountable. At the same time, their defensive figures leave little margin for error against opponents who have already scored twice in the tie and have been consistently productive in Europa Conference League matches. Paksi SE's competition record this season is one defeat from one game, with averages of 1.0 goal scored and 2.0 conceded.

The timing of goals in their recent matches is also notable. There has been at least one first-half goal in each of Paksi SE's last ten fixtures. At least one second-half goal has been recorded in 37 of their last 40 matches, including 19 of their previous 21 away games. Their European away defending is the main concern: Paksi SE have conceded at least two goals in four of their last five matches on the road in continental competition. They therefore need to combine their clear attacking potential with a more controlled defensive performance if they are to overturn the aggregate score.

Panathinaikos vs Paksi SE Match Analysis

The first leg offered a clear indication of how competitive the return fixture could become. Panathinaikos earned the victory and enter the second meeting with a one-goal cushion, but Paksi SE's late strike prevented the hosts from taking complete control of the tie. The Greens can draw confidence from their four consecutive home wins in the Europa Conference League and from scoring in 13 straight matches in the competition. A goal in Athens would increase the pressure on visitors who have regularly conceded multiple times in European away fixtures.

Paksi SE, however, arrive with evidence that they can respond positively to setbacks. Their 4-2 victory over Ferencvárosi came only three days after losing the opening leg and raised their recent scoring average to 3.0 goals per match. They cannot afford to remain passive because they begin the evening behind on aggregate, but committing more effort to attack could create opportunities for Panathinaikos. The visitors' frequent first-half and second-half goal trends suggest that important moments can occur throughout the contest rather than being confined to one period.

The available figures give Panathinaikos a 47% win probability, compared with 26% for a draw and 28% for a Paksi SE victory. Those numbers favour the home team without presenting the second leg as a foregone conclusion. Panathinaikos possess the aggregate advantage, the stronger recent five-match record and an established Conference League scoring sequence. Paksi SE counter with high recent attacking output and the momentum of a six-goal domestic match. The central issue will be whether the hosts can use their home strength to control the contest or whether the visitors' need to attack turns the tie into another open encounter.