PAOK didn’t deserve to lose the first tie last week, missing a penalty and multiple chances at home. I will back them in the double chance market for this clash in Belgium.
Key Stats
- Anderlecht have seen BTTS in 3 of their last 4 matches.
- PAOK are unbeaten in 2 of their last 3 matches against Anderlecht.
- PAOK are unbeaten in 7 of their last 8 matches.
- PAOK have seen BTTS in 10 of their last 15 matches (including pre-season).
This Will be Their 4th Head to Head
The previous head to head record between Anderlecht and PAOK is tied, with both sides winning one game each and one ending in a draw.
Anderlecht off to a Great Start
Anderlecht’s Europa League qualifying campaign started with a 1-1 draw against Hammarby in Sweden, then finished the job at home with a 3-1 victory. Danylo Sikan played a key role in these, registering two goals and one assist.
Vitor Bruno’s side was extremely lucky to escape Thessaloniki with a 1-0 win against PAOK last week, netting an early goal through Mihajlo Cvetkovic. The opposition missed multiple chances to score here while Anderlecht had just 36% possession and two shots on target.
Anderlecht also had a victorious start to the new Belgian Pro League campaign last weekend, beating RAAL La Louviere 2-1 at home after a comeback. Adriano Bertaccino was the hero, scoring the winning goal deep in stoppage time.
PAOK Deserved More from the First Tie
PAOK appointed Alessio Lisci in early July and won first three pre-season games under his leadership, beating Beveren 4-1, Westerlo 4-0 and AEK Larnaca 3-2 before losing to Twente 3-2 in the final test match.
The Double-Headed Eagles started the new campaign with a 3-2 road win over Dinamo Kiev where Giannis Konstantelias starred with one goal and one assist, then he netted a brace in a 2-0 home victory over the same opponent earlier this month.
PAOK deserved more than a 1-0 loss to Anderlecht last week. Ioannis Michailidis missed a penalty in the 36th minute while Anestis Mythou’s goal was disallowed by VAR in the next minute.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Anderlecht (4-3-3) Colin Coosemans; Ali Maamar, Giulian Biancone, Leo Petrot, Ludwig Augustinsson; Marco Kana, Nathan Saliba, Lukas Ambros; Joshua Nga Kana, Danylo Sikan, Mihajlo Cvetkovic
Hosts are missing injured defenders Ilay Camara and Lucas Hey, while Mario Stroeykens remain a fitness doubt.
Hosts are missing injured defenders Ilay Camara and Lucas Hey, while Mario Stroeykens remain a fitness doubt.
PAOK (4-2-3-1) Jiri Pavlenka; Jonjoe Kenny, Pantelis Hatzidiakos, Giannis Michailidis, Abdul Rahman; Baptiste Santamaria, Christos Zafeiris; Andrija Zivkovic, Giannis Konstantelias, Taison; Anestis Mythou
Taha Ali remains sidelined with a shoulder injury for the visitors.
Taha Ali remains sidelined with a shoulder injury for the visitors.