PAOK vs Dinamo Tbilisi Predictions, Betting Tips, & Match Preview

Since the club was purchased by businessman Roman Pipia in 2011, FC Dinamo Tbilisi have been the most dominant Georgian football team. Dinamo won the domestic double in three of the last four season (2013, 2014 and 2016) and have been regular participants in European competition, ableit somewhat unsuccessfully. As Georgian champions at the end of last season, Dinamo qualified for the Champions League second qualifying round. They beat Alashkert 3-1 on aggregate to progress onto the third qualifying round but their journey came to an abrupt end with an aggregate 3-0 defeat against Croatian champions Dinamo Zagred.

Greek Superleague runners up PAOK are another side recently taken over by a new majority shareholder. Ivan Savvidis has helped keep the team afloat and, as recently as 2015, payed off all the club’s remaining debts to the Greek government. While PAOK are yet to win a domestic title under his ownership, things look to be on the rise for the club. PAOK were able to secure a “big name” signing in ex-Man United striker Dimitar Berbatov in 2015 and have featured in European competition consistently for the past six years.

Both Dinamo and PAOK come into this Europa League playoff fixture after their respective knockouts from the Champions League third qualifying round. While Europa League football shouldn’t be below either side here, neither side has been particularly consistent in the competition in the past. PAOK were fortunate to leave Georgia with such a commanding 3-0 aggregate lead after the first leg. The Greeks scored two from corners and by the 83rd minute were able to catch the hosts on the counter for their third – a flying diving header from short range. Simply put, Tbilisi had more chances and were deservedly punished for their ineffectiveness in front of goal. PAOK still have the home leg to play out, but there shouldn’t be much concern surrounding their probable qualification through to the groups stages. Dinamo Tbilisi have not only failed to score in four of their last five Europa League matches, but also in their last three consecutive Europa League away matches.

We fail to see how there can be too much action unfolding in this match. PAOK will likely just aim to run down the clock from the get go. Dinamo are simply not a decent enough side to bring the game to PAOK here and aim to dominate in an “all out attack” style of football so we could understand the hosts having opportunity to score one on the counter. Hence, under 2.5 goals and both teams NOT to score at 5/4 and PAOK to win 1-0 at 7/1 with bet365 are our choice bets for this Europa League playoff round second leg fixture.