Verdict: Total goals over 3.5
Best odds: 6/4
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
PAOK will be playing host to Aberdeen at the Stadio Toumbas on Thursday in the Europa Conference League, seeking to continue with their perfect record in the competition.
As for the visitors, it’s a do-or-die situation as they need to win this game to keep any hope of progressing from the group, having earned just one point from the first three rounds.
PAOK
PAOK have the opportunity to secure their place in the knockout stages of the competition with two matches to spare if they secure a fourth victory in four games. They won a five-goal thriller in Scotland against Aberdeen two weeks ago.
Despite falling 2-0 behind within the first hour of the match, the Greek side managed to level the proceedings late in the game and then secured the win with a penalty converted by Stefan Schwab in the sixth minute of injury time.
PAOK enter the return fixture with confidence after defeating Olympiacos 4-2 in the Greek Super League, moving them one point behind their second-placed rivals. Panathinaikos leads the table with a four-point advantage.
In the Europa Conference League, PAOK have some experience having reached the quarter-finals two seasons ago, but were eliminated by Marseille at this stage. Under the management of Razvan Lucescu, who returned to the club before the start of this season, PAOK have arguably realistic hopes of making a deep run in the competition.
Team News
PAOK may be without several key players due to fitness concerns, including Marcos Antonio, Ally Samatta, and club captain Vierinha. Additionally, Ivan Nasberg, Joan Sastre, Filipe Soares, and Andre Ricardo are unavailable as they were not registered for this competition.
In the reverse fixture in Scotland, players like Baba Rahman and Kiri Despodov were rested, indicating that manager Razvan Lucescu may opt to rotate his side once again, particularly after an intense battle against Olympiacos over the weekend.
Aberdeen
Aberdeen are competing in the group stage of a European competition for the first time since their UEFA Cup campaign in the 2007/08 season when they were eliminated by Bayern Munich in the third round.
Despite putting up a fight in their matches against PAOK and 2022 Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt, they have only managed to secure one point so far. A 1-1 draw at home against HJK Helsinki was particularly costly in their quest to advance to the knockout stages.
Aberdeen remain hopeful of making a comeback and have gained confidence from a recent 1-0 victory over Hibernian, which secured their spot in the Scottish League Cup final against Rangers next month.
The Dons, famous for winning the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup under legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson in 1983, have not won a trophy since the League Cup a decade ago. They are eager for the opportunity to cause an upset against Rangers in the final.
Before that, they must try to secure all three points in Thessaloniki. Without an unexpected favor from HJK Helsinki against Frankfurt, Aberdeen risk being eliminated from European competition with two matches remaining.
Team News
Aberdeen will be without James McGarry and Shayden Morris, both sidelined with hamstring injuries. However, apart from these two players, manager Barry Robson has a fully-fit squad to choose from.
Jack McKenzie, despite being sent off against Hibernian in the League Cup semi-final over the weekend, is available for the match. Graham Shinnie will also be hoping to retain the manager’s confidence and start at the base of midfield.
Conclusion
With Aberdeen in desperate need for a win, they will have little choice but to open up and attack, which should leave plenty of space for PAOK to exploit. Another high-scoring contest between these teams is likely on the cards, with the home side being the obvious favourites to win.
Verdict: Total goals over 3.5
Best odds: 6/4
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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