Prediction: Club Brugge vs PAOK

Verdict: PAOK to win or draw

Best odds: 1.97

Bookmaker: ZetBet

The Conference League quarterfinals are back this week with many prestigious European clubs looking to win the trophy. The clash between Club Brugge and PAOK is announced as a two-part thriller, with the 1st part scheduled for Thursday night in front of 29,000 fans. An exciting football contest and a win for the local side at the Jan Breydel Stadium is what the home supporters expect from their favourites.

Club Brugge

Club Brugge performed at the highest level in the Europa Conference League group stage, winning against strong sides like Bodo/Glimt, Besiktas, and Lugano. Following the impressive displays, the Belgian side advanced straight to the round of 16, avoiding a knock-out play-off.

In the previous round, Brugge battled the Norwegian team Molde displaying a great attitude following the first leg 1-2 defeat, with a second leg 3-0 home win to further progress in the quarterfinals.

Nevertheless, after qualifying for the league title play-offs, the Belgian team unexpectedly lost points due to a recent drop. As a result, they now trail leaders Royale Union in the league title race, with five points after two rounds.

Still, Club Brugge dominated their opponents across all competition in the games played at home, losing a single match this season at Jan Breydel Stadium. Anderlecht is the only side who narrowly defeated FC Bruges with an extra-time knock-out punch (1-2 final score).

The Ronny Deila-managed team is on fire lately scoring three goals in each of their last three games, with a weekend revenge championship group match against Anderlecht (3-1) being the latest impressive performance in front of their fans.

Team News

Since mid-March, veteran former goalie Simon Mignolet has been sidelined due to a hamstring issue. Also, Denis Odoi and Andreas Skov Aolsen are doubtful for the PAOK match following minor knocks sustained in the last game played against Anderlecht. Hans Vanacken, an accomplished attacking midfield player, is also sidelined by illness.

PAOK

PAOK’s rise in European football is formidable this season. If rivals Olympiacos and AEK Athens are the teams that played year after year in the European competitions, PAOK has stolen the show this time.

Defeating Frankfurt away and turning around a 2-0 fall at Zagreb to mount an impressive 5-1 home remontada, the Greeks became a real contender to win the Conference League. What’s more, Razvan Lucescu’s side tops the Greek championship with a one-point lead over rivals AEK Athens.

This season’s excellent results led to a contract extension for the Romanian coach who proved to be a master tactician during the entire season. Moreover, PAOK dominated its opponents away from home with impressive results across all competitions (W18D2L4).

The visitors’ resilience was tested again last weekend when the White Blacks flipped a 2-0 away deficit at bitter rivals AEK, scoring a brace in the 2nd part of the game in a 2-2 spectacular stalemate. PAOK plays on the front foot, dominating possession and scoring goals for fun, netting 74 times in the domestic league.

However, the visitors need to improve significantly on their last Conference League away display (at Zagreb), to avoid a major disaster in Brugge, therefore repeating the 2010 Europa League result (1-1) would be the perfect set-up for the return game.

Team News

Centre-back William Troost-Ekong is out for another month following his end-of-February injury. Veteran left winger Taison is also out with illness. PAOK is expected to line up a defensive formation, looking to hit Clubb Bruge on the break.

Abdul Rahman Baba is expected to start for PAOK following his impressive performance at AEK when he scored twice, winning a crucial point in the title race for his team.

Key factors to consider

• Clubb Bruge recovered greatly following two winless games in the league with a dominant home victory against rivals Anderlecht
• The hosts won all of their last three competitive home games, scoring nine goals along the way
• Ronny Deila’s team are undefeated (D2) in the two competitive games played against PAOK
• The visitors are having a great season both domestically and in Europe
• PAOK are leaders in the Greek league, following the point won at AEK’s turf
• Rzvan Lucescu proved his tactician skills in Europe by defeating Frankfurt away (1-2)

Conclusion

FC Brugge and PAOK proved to be strong teams this year domestically and in Europe. Although the hosts have the home advantage, the visitors can leave the pitch undefeated and start the second leg with an advantage.

Verdict: PAOK to win or draw

Best odds: 1.97

Bookmaker: ZetBet