Panathinaikos FC have a recent victory against FC Kobenhavn to boost their confidence as they prepare to receive the Danish champions in their first home game in Group D.
Panathinaikos, who are back in the group stage after missing out in 2009/10, began with two defeats in their last campaign and then drew 2-2 at home to SV Werder Bremen.
The Greek titleholders are in need of a lift having gone down 5-1 at FC Barcelona on Matchday 1 – despite taking the lead – while Kobenhavn are aiming to build on a 1-0 opening win against FK Partizan.
The teams met three years ago in Copenhagen in the home team’s only previous European fixture against Greek opposition.
The 2007/08 UEFA Cup group match ended 1-0 to the visitors thanks to an early goal from Dame N’Doye, who now plays for the Danish side.
FCK substitute Hjalte Norregaard missed a penalty.
Panathinaikos, who are back in the group stage after missing out in 2009/10, began with two defeats in their last campaign and then drew 2-2 at home to SV Werder Bremen.
However they then recorded three successive victories, finishing with a 1-0 home win against Anorthosis Famagusta FC, to come top of the group ahead of FC Internazionale Milano and qualify for the knockout rounds for the first time in seven years.
Their run came to an end in the round of 16 when they could not capitalise on a 1-1 draw at Villarreal CF, losing 2-1 at home.
In last season’s UEFA Europa League, the Greens’ group record at home showed two wins and a defeat.
In the round of 32 they beat AS Roma 3-2 home and away while in the last 16 they lost 3-1 at home to R.Standard de Liege and went down 1-0 in the return.
The Danish champions were previously involved in the UEFA Champions League in 2006/07, when they finished bottom of Group F with seven points.
They lost all three away games: 1-0 at Celtic FC, 3-0 at Manchester United FC and 3-1 at SL Benfica.
FCK reached this stage with an away-goals triumph in the play-offs against Rosenborg BK, following a 2-1 away defeat with a 1-0 win at the Parken Stadium.
In the third qualifying round FC BATE Borisov were defeated 3-2 in the Danish capital after the first leg had ended goalless.
In last season’s UEFA Europa League, they lost their first two away games but finished with a 3-0 win at AC Sparta Praha which ensured a second-place finish in the group. In the round of 32 they lost 3-1 at home and away to Olympique de Marseille.
