The Matchday 5 clash in the Europa League 2025/26 between PAOK (Greece) and Brann (Norway) will take place on November 27 at the Toumba Stadium in Thessaloniki. PAOK vs. Brann: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
PAOK
After a poor start to the main stage, the Greeks secured victories in their last two matches against Lille (4-3) and Young Boys (4-0). As a result, Razvan Lucescu's team climbed to 10th place in the standings with 7 points. Notably, PAOK is among the top three teams in terms of scoring (9 goals). Defensively, they have also performed well, keeping a clean sheet in 5 matches of the current tournament.
- At least one opponent failed to score in 7 of PAOK's last 9 Europa League matches.
- On home turf, the team has not lost in 7 of their last 8 matches in this tournament (4 wins, 3 draws).
- In 6 of their last 7 home games in the Europa League, PAOK did not concede a single goal.
Predicted lineup for PAOK (4-5-1)
Antonis Tsiftsis – Abdul Rahman Baba, Jonjoe Kenny, Giannis Michailidis, Alessandro Vogliacco – Alessandro Bianco, Soualiho Meïté, Giannis Konstantelias, Kiril Despodov, Georgios Giakoumakis – Taison.
Midfielders Giannis Konstantelias, Mady Camara, and forward Kiril Despodov are injured.
Brann
The Norwegians played out a goalless draw away to Bologna in the last round. This ended an 8-match uncompromising streak in the Europa League (5 wins, 3 losses). Notably, Brann has kept a clean sheet in three consecutive Europa League matches, conceding only two goals overall, a record unmatched by any other team. With 7 points, they are 11th in the standings.
- Brann has not conceded more than one goal in 7 of their last 9 Europa League matches.
- The team has scored in 5 of their last 6 Europa League games.
- Away from home in this tournament, Brann has not lost in 4 of 6 matches (3 wins, 1 draw).
Predicted lineup for Brann (4-3-3)
Mathias Dyngeland – Japhet Sery Larsen, Eivind Helland, Denzel De Rouwe, Vetle Dragsnes – Emil Kornvig, Jakob Sørensen, Eggert Gudmundsson – Ulrik Mathisen, Bård Finne, Markus Holand.
Defender Joachim Soltvedt and forwards Markus Holand and Saivar Magnusson will miss the match due to injuries.
Referee
Sascha Stegemann (Germany)
Matches – 11 (International matches, 2024/25 - 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 67;
Average yellow cards per match – 6.1;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 28;
Penalties – 27%.
Match Prediction: PAOK vs. Brann
PAOK has one of the worst defensive records among playoff teams, but all 6 goals conceded were away. At home, the club displays exemplary defensive play. Razvan Lucescu's side has kept a clean sheet in all 4 home matches in the current Europa League campaign. Moreover, the team has not conceded in 6 of their last 7 home matches in this tournament.
Brann is in the top 5 of the main Europa League stage for clean sheets. Including qualification, Freyr Alexandersson's side has kept a clean sheet in 5 matches, three of which were away. They have not lost in any of these away matches, so the team will stick to their successful strategy in the upcoming game.
My prediction – Total under 3.5 goals
