The first Europa League 2025/26 play-off round first leg between PAOK Thessaloniki (Greece) and Real Club Celta de Vigo S.A.D. (Spain) will take place on 19 February at Toumba Stadium in Thessaloniki. PAOK Thessaloniki vs Real Club Celta de Vigo S.A.D.: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
PAOK Thessaloniki
In their last Europa League match, the team suffered a frustrating away defeat to Lyon (2:4), conceding twice late on while down to ten men. Before that, PAOK Thessaloniki had gone five Europa League games without defeat (three wins, two draws), and overall in the league phase the club lost only two of eight matches. However, there were not that many wins either – just three. With 12 points in total, the Greek side reached the play-offs from 17th place in the standings. It is worth noting that PAOK Thessaloniki will be taking part in the Europa League play-off round for the second straight year; last winter, the team’s tournament ended at this stage after two defeats to FCSB.
- In the Europa League league phase, the club scored 17 goals in total – only Lyon and Midtjylland scored more (18 each).
- PAOK Thessaloniki’s scoring run in this tournament has reached seven matches.
- The team have kept clean sheets in five of their last six home Europa League games.
Potential PAOK Thessaloniki Lineup (4-5-1)*
Jiri Pavlenka – Abdul Rahman Baba, Jonjoe Kenny, Ioannis Michailidis, Tomas Kedziora – Dimitrios Chatzidis, Soualiho Meite, Andrija Zivkovic, Taison, Christos Zafeiris – Georgios Giakoumakis.
Striker Georgios Giakoumakis and midfielder Ioannis Konstantelias are suspended. Midfielder Luka Ivanusec will miss out through injury.
Real Club Celta de Vigo S.A.D.
The Spanish side noticeably dipped in the second half of the league phase: after a run of three wins, the team won only one of their last four Europa League matches. As a result, Real Club Celta de Vigo S.A.D. were unable to mount a serious push for direct qualification for the round of 16. Even so, the club came through the decisive January fixtures unbeaten, taking four points from six over the final two rounds. That allowed Real Club Celta de Vigo S.A.D. to finish one point above PAOK Thessaloniki and end the league phase in 16th place. The last time the Galicians played in the Europa League knockouts was back in 2016/17, when they reached the semi-finals.
- Both teams have scored in eight of the Spaniards’ last nine Europa League matches.
- The club have conceded in 12 straight matches in this European competition.
- Real Club Celta de Vigo S.A.D. have won with a (+1.5) handicap in 22 consecutive Europa League games.
Potential Real Club Celta de Vigo S.A.D. Lineup (3-4-3)*
Andrei Radu – Carl Starfelt, Marcos Alonso, Javi Rodriguez – Javier Rueda, Miguel Roman, Fer Lopez, Sergio Carreira – Williot Swedberg, Ferran Jutgla, Borja Iglesias.
The suspensions of midfielders Williot Swedberg and Hugo Sotelo have come to an end.
Referee
Ivan Kruzliak (Slovakia)
Matches – 9 (International fixtures, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 39;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.3;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 25;
Penalties – 33%.
PAOK Thessaloniki vs Real Club Celta de Vigo S.A.D.: Match Prediction
The sides have already met in the league phase, with that match ending in a 3:1 win for Real Club Celta de Vigo S.A.D. However, it is important to note that the teams faced each other in Spain on that occasion. At home, PAOK Thessaloniki traditionally look more dangerous than on their travels, and the club’s unbeaten run on their own ground in the Europa League now stands at six matches (three wins, three draws). Even if away fixtures are included, the Greek side have lost only two of their last nine games in this competition. Another notable point is that, regardless of the result, the team regularly deliver an entertaining spectacle. In the league phase, PAOK Thessaloniki matches produced an average of 3.87 goals per game – the highest figure in the Europa League.
Real Club Celta de Vigo S.A.D. started their European campaign brightly, but at one point they suddenly lost momentum, which saw them collect only four points from their last four matches in the tournament. Away wins can be described as a rare occurrence: across their previous six Europa League games, they won just once, away at Dinamo Zagreb (3:0). Even so, the attacking output on the road has remained at a good level, with the two-goal mark being cleared consistently across 15 straight away Europa League matches involving Real Club Celta de Vigo S.A.D.
Prediction: PAOK Thessaloniki, double chance + Over 1.5 goals
* For each team, the starting XI listed is from their most recent match.
