Panathinaikos Athens — Olympiacos Piraeus : Match Preview and Prediction for September 21,2025

Complete turmoil has engulfed Panathinaikos. The club made the decisive move to sack coach Rui Vitória following a disastrous start in the Super League, where the team managed to secure just one point from their opening two matches. This poor performance included a 1-1 draw with Levadiakos and a disappointing 3-2 loss to Kifisia. Both the club’s management and the players themselves have released official statements, acknowledging the severe issues within the squad and accepting accountability for the recent string of failures.For the upcoming derby, Christos Kontis has been appointed as interim coach, tasked with leading the team. He has had a mere three training sessions to prepare the squad for what is arguably the most crucial match of their season. This limited timeframe is critically insufficient for effectively implementing a cohesive tactical strategy. Adding to the challenge, historical data presents a stark reality: Panathinaikos has never managed to defeat Olympiacos in a derby when playing under the guidance of a newly appointed coach.Compounding the team’s woes are significant personnel losses. A major blow to their offensive capabilities is the confirmed absence of Uruguayan winger Facundo Pellistri. He remains sidelined, following an individual training program due to persistent muscle problems. His creative spark and attacking prowess will be sorely missed, a fact underscored by their recent narrow 1-0 victory in the cup against Kallithea, where they struggled to break down their opponents.

Olympiacos approaches this highly anticipated derby in a vastly different and more favorable position. José Luis Mendilibar’s squad has enjoyed a perfect start to their league campaign, securing three victories from three matches with an impressive aggregate goal difference of 9-0. Their commanding presence at the top of the league table, alongside AEK and PAOK, clearly demonstrates their excellent form as the season gets underway.However, even the visiting side exhibits certain indicators that suggest the upcoming match might be a low-scoring affair. Several key offensive players have been omitted from the matchday squad due to various reasons. Notable absences include the team’s primary right-back, Rodinei, as well as winger Gelson Martins and forward Roman Yaremchuk. These exclusions represent significant vulnerabilities within Mendilibar’s attacking framework.Olympiacos’s most recent Champions League fixture against Pafos concluded in a goalless draw. Despite demonstrating overwhelming dominance in terms of ball possession (69%) and total shots (18), the “Red-Whites” managed to direct only 3 shots on target and ultimately failed to breach their opponent’s defense. This outcome serves as a clear warning sign, highlighting that the team is currently facing specific challenges in converting their attacking opportunities into tangible goals.