PAOK vs Celta Vigo Preview: Predictions, Team News, Lineups

The Europa League playoff match between PAOK Thessaloniki and Celta Vigo will take place at Toumba Stadium. This first-leg encounter is crucial, as a spot in the Round of 16 is at stake. Both teams finished closely in the league phase, making every mistake significant.

Match Preview

PAOK, managed by Razvan Lucescu, will try to capitalize on their home advantage in this tie. The team goes into the match following a goalless draw against AEK Athens, a result that highlighted both their form and an attacking slump. Recently, PAOK demonstrated resilience, achieving three wins and two draws in their last five matches across all competitions.

PAOK’s Europa League performance has fluctuated, recording three wins, three draws, and two defeats. This inconsistency contrasts with their strong home record, where they secured eight points from a possible twelve. They have scored in eight of their last nine home games, while also keeping clean sheets in four of the last six at Toumba Stadium.

Despite showing an attacking threat by scoring 17 goals in eight Europa League matches, defensively, they have conceded 14 goals. This vulnerability will be crucial for Celta to exploit.

Celta Vigo’s Struggles

Celta Vigo arrives in Greece after a disappointing 2-2 draw against Espanyol, continuing a stretch of five winless matches in all competitions. They recorded three draws and two defeats, impacting team morale. In the league phase of the Europa League, Celta secured 13 points from eight matches, with four wins, one draw, and three losses.

However, their away form is concerning, with only one victory in four road matches. Their last European match ended in a 1-1 draw against Red Star Belgrade, revealing difficulties in controlling challenging matches.

Coach Claudio Giraldez employs a possession-oriented game focusing on swift transitions. Nonetheless, recent performances indicate a lack of consistency in executing this strategy. Celta has scored 15 and conceded 11 in the competition, illustrating both attacking talent and defensive issues.

Head-to-Head Advantage

Celta will enter this match with confidence as they previously defeated PAOK 3-1 during the league phase. This victory could grant them a psychological advantage in this first-leg clash.

Team News

• PAOK:
  • Georgios Giakoumakis and Giannis Konstantelias are suspended.
  • Luka Ivanusec is sidelined with a muscle injury.
  • Soualiho Meite is a doubt due to an ongoing thigh issue.
  • Kiril Despodov is injured, and Dimitrios Pelkas is unavailable.
• Celta Vigo:
  • Carlos Dominguez and Franco Cervi are fitness doubts.
  • Alvaro Nunez is out with a groin injury.
  • Yoel Lago’s participation is uncertain due to discomfort.

Possible Lineups

Match Prediction

While PAOK’s strong home form cannot be overlooked, Celta Vigo’s attacking capabilities may grant them an edge. Given their previous victory against PAOK, Celta could leverage this to secure a first-leg advantage.