Bitesize Prediction: PAOK vs HJK – 14/12/23

Competition: Europa Conference League

Market: PAOK win

Odds: 4/9 @ Pribet

Simply looking to make another Europa Conference League statement on Thursday evening, PAOK will welcome HJK to the Toumba Stadium.

Starting with the hosts, while PAOK might still be facing an uphill battle in their bid to claim a first Greek Super League crown since 2019, Razvan Lucescu’s side are in the midst of a major purple patch. Now winning all of their previous five straight appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 13-2, it appears that the mood around the Toumba Stadium is at a red-hot high. Picking up some perfect momentum over the weekend as they extended on their Greek Cup adventure thanks to a 1-0 win against Volos, PAOK have also continued on a stunning Europa Conference League romp this season. Already wrapping up their spot as Group G winners and not real having to get out of second gear, Lucescu’s men will be desperate to make yet another European statement in midweek. Mustering 13 points from their five Europa Conference League showdowns this year, the Greek giants are rightfully tipped as a standout contender here.

As for the visitors, last seen in European action suffering an infamous collapse on home soil as they eventually had to settle for a 2-2 stalemate against Scottish outfit Aberdeen, HJK have failed to find any kind of Europa Conference League stability this year. Sat rock-bottom of the Group G standings and collecting just a pair of points from their five Group G appearances, Toni Korkeakunnas’s men have also recorded just a single victory across any competition since the end of September. Facing what looks set to be a stern examination when they travel to Greece on Thursday evening, the one-time Finland coach will also have a mounting headache over his side’s extended issues on the road. Including a woeful 6-0 drumming against Eintracht Frankfurt, HJK have shipped nine strikes in their back-to-back defeats away from the Bolt Arena. Given what has been a huge recent gulf in class, we are backing a home victory on Thursday evening.

Bet: PAOK 4/9 to beat HJK in Thursday’s Europa Conference League showdown @ Pribet