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 defeat away to Real Sociedad in the last round of the group stage. As a result, PAOK's three-match winning streak in the Europa League came to an end. Additionally, the club has conceded at least two goals for the fourth time in their last eight matches in this European competition. The Greeks reached the playoffs from 22nd place, surpassing several competitors only due to goal difference.
Defender Dejan Lovren, as well as forwards Kiril Despodov, Andrija Živković, and Fyodor Chalov, will miss the 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 has 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 matches in the Europa League.
Predicted lineup for PAOK (4-2-3-1)*
Dominik Kotarski – Abdul Rahman Baba, Giannis Michailidis, Tomasz Kędziora, Chonnie – Magomed Ozdoev, Stefan Schwab – Kiril Despodov, Taison, Mady Camara – Brandon Thomas.
FCSB
In their last Europa League match, Elias Charalambous's side lost 0-2 at home to Manchester United. As a result, FCSB ended their four-match unbeaten run in this European competition (2 wins, 2 draws). The team also failed to score for the fourth time in the group stage. Moreover, the club missed the chance to advance directly to the Round of 16 – a draw would have sufficed. Ultimately, the Romanians finished in 11th place, which led them to the playoffs.
Midfielders Octavian Popescu, Mihai Lixandru, and Darius Olaru, as well as forward William Baeten, 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 matches in the Europa League.
Predicted lineup for FCSB (4-2-3-1)*
Ștefan Târnovanu – Risto Radunović, Siyabonga Ngezana, Joyskim Dawa, Valentin Crețu – Adrian Șut, Mihai Popescu – Florin Tănase, Malcom Edjouma, David Miculescu – Daniel Birligea.
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 the team's home results are not impressive. In their last 11 home matches in the Europa League, PAOK has only secured four victories with a margin of more than one goal, failing to win in seven of those games. Additionally, Razvan Lucescu's side 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 provide serious resistance to PAOK once again – their away statistics suggest a positive result is possible. In 8 of their last 10 away Europa League matches, the team has not lost, and in another instance, they were defeated by only a single goal. Furthermore, 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)
* Each team's starting lineup is based on their last match in this tournament.
