The Case for Panathinaikos: The Olympiako Stadio Spyros Louis will be rocking as Panathinaikos aim to make a statement. The Greeks have been formidable at home in Europe, winning five of their last seven. Statistically, they are aggressive, averaging a massive 16.3 shots per game in the Europa League. Crucially, they are unbeaten at half-time in 12 straight European matches, suggesting they start fast and can unsettle visiting teams early.

The Case for Roma: The Italians arrive with the swagger of a team in form, having won three consecutive away matches in this competition. They have scored 2+ goals in each of their last four Europa League ties, driven by the creativity of Matías Soulé. With a top-eight finish in sight, their motivation is high, and their defensive record (only 5 conceded in the group phase) suggests they can absorb pressure and hit with clinical efficiency.

The Verdict: It’s volume vs efficiency. Panathinaikos shoot on sight and dominate at home, while Roma pick their moments and strike on the road. Can the Greeks’ shot volume overwhelm Roma’s structure, or will the Italians’ counter-attacking quality silence Athens?