Best odds: 1/1
Bookmaker:
On Thursday evening, PAOK and Hajduk Split are set to face each other in the second leg of their clash in the Europa Conference League qualifications at the Toumba Stadium in Thessaloniki, Greece. The first leg, played at the Poljud in Split last week, ended without a winner, and without a single goal.
This match will reportedly be under close observation after the tragedy which marred another Greek-Croatian encounter, AEK vs Dinamo Zagreb.
PAOK ended the 2022/23 season in fourth place in the Championship round of the Super League Greece, behind AEK, Panathinaikos and Olympiacos. They start the new campaign three days after facing Hajduk for the second time, and in the opening round, they re set to play against Asteras Tripolis.
Should the Greek side qualify for the Conference League, it will be their second ever participation in the newest of the three UEFA competitions, having already made an appearance in the inaugural edition in 2021/22. Obviously seeking to establish themselves as a more frequent feature of European football, they ll surely be highly motivated.
PAOK s triumph over Beitar Jerusalem with a 4-1 aggregate score in the previous round is certainly a positive outcome in that aspect. After a goalless draw at home in the first leg, they managed to secure a convincing victory in the second leg, which demonstrates their ability to perform under pressure and adapt their game plan to achieve a favorable result.
Team News
PAOK have acquired the services of defenders William Troost-Ekong from Watford and Abdul Rahman Baba from Chelsea, midfielder Magomed Ozdoev from Karagumruk, and forward Ally Samata from Fenerbahce. Meanwhile, midfielders Douglas Augusto and Omar El Kaddouri, defenders Sverrir Ingi Ingason and Lucas Taylor, as well as forward Nelson Oliveira, have all left the club.
Coach Razvan Lucescu usually deploys his team in a 4-2-3-1 shape, and he ll have no real reason to make changes to the team that started the first leg. That would mean Brandon Thomas leading the attacking line, supported by Andrija Zivkovic, Giannis Konstantelias and Khaled Narey.
Hajduk Split
Meanwhile, Hajduk have already played three matches in the 2023/24 HNL season, and their start to the campaign could hardly have been more glorious. In the opening round, they beat their fiercest rivals Dinamo in Zagreb, a great way to stake a claim for the Croatian crown after finishing second to Dinamo by 10 points in 2022/23, and followed that up with victories over Rijeka and Slaven Belupo, both at home. At the moment, they are the only team in the league with a 100% record, which obviously means they top the table.
It s been 13 years since the club from the coast of the Adriatic Sea last played in the group stage of a European competition, and they won t want to miss this opportunity to stop the drought, though they ll certainly be wary of another qualifications disappointment.
Team News
Captain Marko Livaja showed great form by scoring twice in Hajduk s 3-0 win over Slaven Belupo, and he ll surely be leading the attacking line again in Thessaloniki. The third was the work of 22-year-old substitute Leon Dajaku, who will be looking to impress coming on from the bench once more.
Like Lucescu, Hajduk boss Ivan Leko also likes to set his team up in a 4-2-3-1 shape, and it will be interesting to see which team makes the most of it.
Conclusion
Another hard-fought clash is expected to take place between these teams, but PAOK should be able to do what it takes to win it at their home ground.
Verdict: Home win
Best odds: 1/1
Bookmaker:
