PAOK vs Aberdeen prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2023-11-08 17:45.
With a perfect three-game start to this season’s UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) Group G, PAOK have a fantastic opportunity to potentially confirm their place in the top two with two games to spare with a win and a favourable result in the group’s other game. The Greek outfit have been defensively exposed of late, conceding two goals in three consecutive competitive games including against fierce rivals Olympiakos (W 4-2), AEK Athens (L 2-0), and in their previous UECL outing against Aberdeen (W 3-2).
The Thessalonians could do with some additional stability at the back, having had to come from behind or retake the lead after conceding an equaliser in all three of their UECL group stage wins this season. But they’ve at least managed to retain defensive solidity at home, accumulating seven clean sheets as part of an unbeaten home record across all competitions (W7, D2).
It’s practically do or die for Aberdeen now as anything less than victory here, coupled with a Frankfurt win at HJK Helsinki, would see them eliminated in their first European group stage appearance since 2007/08. The Dons at least travel to Greece boosted by a pair of domestic wins since their demoralising loss in the reverse, most recently reaching the Scottish League Cup final for the first time since 2018/19 with a 1-0 win over Hibernian on Sunday.
Overcoming ludicrously long odds to win here seems unlikely at best when considering Aberdeen lost both of their games against Greek opponents, as well as five of their last six European away games. There is cause for some tepid optimism though, as Aberdeen have won three of their last four competitive away games, a run which includes a 3-1 win at 2021/22 Europa League finalists Rangers.
Players to watch: PAOK’s Stefan Schwab has enjoyed playing against Scottish sides this season, scoring twice and assisting another across three games against Aberdeen and Hearts. As for Aberdeen, Bojan Miovski has given his side the chance to win their first Scottish League Cup in a decade with his strike last weekend, whilst he also had a hand in both of their goals in the reverse (G1, A1).
Hot stat: Aberdeen have conceded just one first-half goal across their last nine games (HT: W4, D4, L1).