PAOK vs HJK prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2023-12-13 17:45.
The postponement of the most recent round of Greek Super League matches gave PAOK the weekend off to focus on their final UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) group stage game, though this likely would have been at the back of their minds given they have already wrapped up top spot in the group with one round to spare. Itāll therefore be interesting to see how head coach RÄzvan Lucescu approaches this game knowing they have two domestic games in quick succession following this clash.
He may be wise to prioritise those domestic games, not least because PAOK are currently fighting hard to also ensure their participation in next seasonās European action, winning four consecutive Super League games to occupy third place. In fact, in their last 16 games across all competitions, PAOK have been somewhat of a juggernaut, losing only to reigning Greek champions AEK whilst winning 12 of the remaining 15, including 3-2 away to upcoming opponents HJK Helsinki.
HJKās sixth group stage in any UEFA competition (including the Intertoto Cup) will end up like the previous five – without them progressing any further. Itās another disappointing European campaign considering they began in the preliminary rounds of the UEFA Champions League, but having successfully defended their Veikkausliiga crown in 2023, theyāll start all over again from the same position next July.
Thereāll likely be some desperation to avoid a winless group stage driving their staff and players, particularly as HJK come into this game having failed to win their last six competitive outings (D2, L4). Furthermore, ending a ten-game drought away from home in all UEFA football (D3, L7) would also be a magical way to bow out of the 2023 calendar year!
Players to watch: One of Kiril Despodov's eight goalscoring appearances for club or country since the start of August came in the reverse H2H. HJK's second goalscorer on that evening, Bojan RaduloviÄ, was on the scoresheet in four of his eight subsequent games, including a recent off-season friendly win against Sweden's BK HƤcken.
Hot stat: PAOK conceded a first-half goal in just one of their last ten competitive victories.