With the second legs of European qualifiers upon us, Wednesday night promises two decisive fixtures with very different narratives. In Athens, Panathinaikos host Rangers needing a dramatic comeback after a 2-0 defeat in Glasgow — but with key players sidelined, the task looks steep. The Scottish side, under Russell Martin, appear composed and well-prepared to finish the job.
Meanwhile, in Austria, Red Bull Salzburg return home with a commanding 4-1 aggregate lead over SK Brann. The Austrian champions dominated the first leg and should have little trouble advancing. With momentum and depth on their side, Salzburg look set to cruise through.
Let’s break down both matches and the best betting angles.
Champions League Tips
- Panathinaikos vs Rangers: Rangers and Both Teams To Score ( at Livesport24)
- Red Bull Salzburg vs SK Brann: Red Bull Salzburg -1 ( at Livesport24)
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Panathinaikos vs Rangers
Rangers have one foot in the next round after a commanding 2-0 win in Glasgow, but the job is far from done. Athens awaits, and with it, the raw noise of the Green faithful and a Panathinaikos side desperate to turn the tide. Yet the numbers — and the narrative — favour the visitors.
Russell Martin’s European bow as Rangers boss could hardly have been smoother. His team kept their composure, took their chances, and now enter the return leg against a wounded opponent. Georgios Vagiannidis, suspended after his red card in the first leg and on the brink of a move to Sporting Lisbon, will be a huge miss at right-back. Midfield linchpin Manolis Siopis is also ruled out through injury, further weakening the Greek spine.
Rangers, by contrast, kept their regulars fresh. Saturday’s friendly against Middlesbrough saw Martin rotate heavily, but it was the return of starters like James Tavernier and Danilo that sparked a comeback from 0-2 down to 2-2. The readiness of the core squad shows.
This is a team that travels well — losing just twice in six away matches in Europe last season, and only at Old Trafford and San Mamés. They are built for nights like this: under pressure, away from home, with everything on the line.
Panathinaikos will push forward — they have to — having scored in ten straight Conference League games last season. But that urgency opens them up to what Rangers do best: breaking quickly, ruthlessly. The Greek side have conceded at least twice in four of their last five European fixtures, and they look vulnerable once more.
Expect goals at both ends, but also expect Rangers to finish what they started.
Tip: Rangers and Both Teams To Score ( at Livesport24)
Red Bull Salzburg vs SK Brann
The first leg in Norway was a clear statement of intent from Red Bull Salzburg. Thomas Letsch’s side dictated tempo, carved open Brann’s defence repeatedly, and left with a result that barely flattered them. With 22 shots, 10 of them on target, and an expected goals tally just shy of 3.0, Salzburg overwhelmed a Brann team that mustered just a single strike on target and an xG of 0.38.
Now back at home, Salzburg have all the tools to finish the job in style. Brann, winless in their last three away matches, appear ill-equipped to mount any meaningful resistance. Their domestic form has faltered, and the gap in squad depth and European pedigree was brutally exposed in the first leg.
Edmund Baidoo, a livewire presence off the bench last season with four goals across just two starts and 16 substitute appearances, is one to watch again. With a cup rotation giving key players a breather at the weekend, Salzburg will be fresh, focused, and fully loaded.
Tip: Red Bull Salzburg -1 ( at Livesport24)
