PAOK vs Plzen prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-10-23 16:45.
[p]Involved in the UEFA Europa League (UEL) for the first time since the 2020/21 campaign, Greek champions PAOK have started the league phase with two defeats from two and face an uphill battle to qualify from the league phase as a result. History isnāt on their side either having won just two games across their previous two group stage appearances, bringing their run in the UELās āproperā rounds to two victories in their last 14 games including this seasonās pair of league phase defeats (D3, L9).[/p]
[p]RÄzvan Lucescuās side have performed well domestically so far this season which should lift spirits, losing just once in the Greek Super League (W5, D2), and as such, wonāt give up hope of breaking into the UELās top 24 with a visit from Viktoria PlzeÅ up next. To make matters a little better too, PAOK have won all three of their previous home games against Czech opponents in UEFA competitions, their joint-best such record.[/p]
[p]Visiting PlzeÅ have enjoyed a stronger start to their league phase campaign than their opposition here, taking two points from their first two outings (D2). Boss Miroslav Koubek returned for a third stint in charge ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, and his side incredibly havenāt lost inside 90 minutes in any of their last 22 European games (W15, D7).[/p]
[p]Having also won 11 of their 17 games across all competitions so far this season, (D5, L1), confidence will no doubt be high in the PlzeÅ camp ahead of this trip to the Toumba Stadium. With a win likely to catapult them nearer to the top eight and the automatic qualification spots, the Czech outfit could pick up their first-ever points in Greece having been thumped 4-0 by Olympiacos in their only previous visit back in 2019.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Five of Taisonās six goal involvements for PAOK this season have come in European competitions (G4, A2), with all four of his goals coming on or before the hour-mark. Cadu has recorded an assist in both of PlzeÅās last two games, whilst all six of his goal involvements this season have come after half time (G1, A5).[/p]
[p]Hot streak: Including qualifiers, PAOK have only scored 2+ goals in two of their last 10 home UEL games (W1, L9).[/p]
[p][i]Written by Ben Olawumi[/i][/p]