PAOK vs Qarabag Predictions & Betting Tips, Match Previews

PAOK endured a pretty tough week last month as they lost to Qarabag and followed it up with defeat at Olympiakos, falling to back to back defeats for the first time since March.

This also saw the Azerbaijan side leapfrog them in the Europa League group, moving up to 2nd position. It’s still wide open though, and the winner of this match will gain a huge advantage going into the final two group games as they both look to qualify for the knockout stages.

The hosts have managed to bounce back effectively from that difficult week. They have beaten Larissa and AEK Athens at home to extend their home unbeaten streak to seven matches in all competitions. PAOK’s last defeat at home was in the Champions League qualifier against Ajax, with them winning five of the seven games since then.

The Greek’s defence can undoubtedly take the plaudits for this success. They have kept five clean sheets on the bounce on home turf and conceded just one in their last seven games. Obviously this doesn’t leave much room for a standout goalscorer, but striker Stefanos Athanasiadis had netted twice in the Europa League this season, so he looks a good choice to score anytime at 13/8.

Qarabag are enjoying a decent spell of form at the moment, with a 1-0 win at AZAL on Saturday making it four on the bounce for them. However, away from home they have won three, drawn three, and lost four of their ten outings this season.

This includes a 5-1 hammering at Fiorentina at the end of September, and the fact that two of their remaining three Europa League games are away from home could prove crucial when determining the outcome of the group. They have lost five Europa League away days on the bounce now.

I expect PAOK to get the win here. Their visitors are pretty awful away from home in Europe and the hosts have a good home record so far this season. I’m backing a PAOK Win at 3/4 along with a 2-0 correct score prediction at 6/1.