PAOK vs D. Zagreb prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2024-03-13 17:45.
[p]PAOK have endured a difficult week, following up on their first-leg defeat in the UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) by being dethroned from their position at the top of the Greek Super League. That wouldâve seemed unfathomable a week ago, as prior to last Thursdayâs 2-0 defeat in Zagreb, RÄzvan Lucescuâs side had been unbeaten in 13 European games (W9, D4).[/p]
[p]The Greeks had been unbeaten in five H2Hs with Croatian sides (W3, D2) prior to that first leg, but will now need to try and achieve an unprecedented feat – attempting to overturn a two-goal deficit on home soil in UEFA competition. Positive omens are there though in that PAOK have lost only one of their 11 home games in the UECL (W7, D3) so far, and have scored 11 goals in their four home games against Croatian opposition to date (W3, D1), conceding only once.[/p]
[p]Now unbeaten in 11 games (W8, D3) across all competitions but sitting third in their domestic league, opponents Dinamo Zagreb boast an impressive record of winning 22 of the 28 UEFA ties in which they were victorious in a home first-leg. And though they lost the most recent of those, in the UEFA Europa League play-offs against Sparta Prague earlier this season, Dinamo have won all five ties to date in which they won 2-0 at home in the first-leg, going on to keep a clean sheet in four of the second-legs of those ties away from home.[/p]
[p]They might be hard pressed to keep a clean sheet on Thursday night in Greece, however, having not won a UEFA game in the country since 1977, losing their last five before avoiding defeat with a draw at AEK Athens earlier this season – a result that wasnât enough to prevent an exit in the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: With 12 assists this season, including two in Europe, Brazil international Taison could be key if PAOK are to overturn the deficit. Bruno PetkoviÄâs brace in the first leg made him the UECLâs joint top-scorer this season. Five of his seven in the competition for Dinamo have come in the second half, with four from the penalty spot.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: PAOK have scored 2+ goals in ten of their 13 UECL games so far this season, including in each of their last five home games.[/p]