The first leg of the 2024/25 Europa League playoff between PAOK (Greece) and FCSB (Romania) will take place on February 13 at the Toumba Stadium in Thessaloniki. PAOK vs. FCSB: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
PAOK
Razvan Lucescu's side suffered a 0-2 away defeat to Real Sociedad in the last round of the group stage. As a result, PAOK's three-match winning streak in the Europa League was snapped. Moreover, the club conceded at least two goals for the fourth time in the last eight matches in this European competition. The Greeks reached the playoffs from 22nd place, edging out several competitors only due to goal difference.
Defender Dejan Lovren, as well as forwards Kiril Despodov, Andrija Zivkovic, and Fyodor Chalov, will miss this match due to injuries.
- The team has not lost in regular time in 8 of their last 9 home matches in the Europa League (5 wins, 3 draws).
- The club scored at least twice in 90 minutes in 6 of their last 9 home games in this European competition.
- The Greeks have not conceded more than one goal in regular time in 7 of their last 8 home Europa League matches.
Predicted lineup for PAOK (4-2-3-1)
Dominik Kotarski – Abdul Rahman Baba, Giannis Michailidis, Tomasz Kedziora, Honni – Magomed Ozdoev, Stefan Schwab – Kiril Despodov, Taison, Mady Camara – Brandon Thomas.
FCSB
In their last Europa League match, Elias Charalambous' team lost 0-2 at home to Manchester United. As a result, FCSB's four-match unbeaten run in this European competition was halted (2 wins, 2 draws). The team also failed to score for the fourth time in the group stage. Furthermore, the club missed the chance to advance directly to the round of 16 – a draw would have been sufficient. Ultimately, the Romanians finished in 11th place, which qualified them for the playoffs.
Midfielders Octavian Popescu, Mihai Lixandru, and Darius Olaru, as well as forward William Baten, will miss the match due to injuries. Notably, forward Daniel Popa left the team before this match.
- At least one of the opponents failed to score in regular time in 6 of the club's last 9 away Europa League matches.
- The team's players did not score in the second half in 4 of their last 5 away games in this European competition.
- The Romanians have not conceded more than one goal in regular time in 7 of their last 10 away Europa League matches.
Predicted lineup for FCSB (4-2-3-1)
Stefan Tarnovanu – Risto Radunovic, Siyabonga Ngezana, Joyskim Dawa, Valentin Cretu – Adrian Sut, Mihai Popescu – Florin Tanase, Malcom Edjouma, David Miculescu – Daniel Birlighea.
Referee
Lawrence Visser (Belgium)
Matches – 8 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 40;
Average yellow cards per match – 5;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 13%.
PAOK vs. FCSB: Match Prediction
The Greeks do not always feel confident at home in European competitions, and their home results are not impressive. In their last 11 home Europa League matches, PAOK has achieved only four wins with a margin of more than one goal, and in seven cases during this stretch, they did not win. Furthermore, Razvan Lucescu's team has already faced FCSB at home in this tournament's current edition and lost 0-1.
I am confident that the Romanians are ready to pose serious resistance to PAOK once again – their away statistics provide hope for a positive result. In 8 of their last 10 away Europa League matches, the team has not lost, and in one other instance during this stretch, they lost by only one goal. It is also worth noting that FCSB collected seven points away in the group stage – only three clubs had a higher tally.
I expect a strong performance from the Romanian team, so my prediction: FCSB with a handicap (+1)
