PAOK
- 18th-placed PAOK Thessaloniki (6 games, 9 points) and 4th-placed Real Betis (6 games, 14 points) face off in a tough UEFA Europa League 2025-2026 game on Thursday.
- Both teams have yet to lose at home or away in the Europa League, but in reality, this will be Betis’s toughest test on the road so far, as PAOK are in great form, coming into this off the back of consecutive wins and are also unbeaten in their last 3 home games (W1, D2).
- Razvan Lucescu, PAOK’s manager since July 2021, has built an energetic team that plays high intensity soccer.
- They usually line up in a 4-2-3-1, pressing high and attacking with pace through the middle of the field.
Real Betis
- Real Betis are undefeated away from home in the UEFA Europa League 2025-2026, winning 2 and drawing 1 (W2, D1, L0, Conceded 1).
- Manuel Pellegrini’s side have been in outstanding form since the start of the year, winning 3, drawing 1, and losing 1 of their last 5 games in all competitions.
- Pellegrini, who has been in charge since August 2020, has instilled a highly organised approach to the game, playing 4-2-3-1 just like PAOK, but at a much more measured tempo, with their double pivots disciplined and ready to cover their flanks.
Head-to-Head
This is the first-ever competitive meeting between the 2 clubs .
Key Players
- Andrija Zivkovic is the team’s biggest threat in behind the striker.
- Antony leads the line through the center with his 3 goals in 5 Europa League matches this season providing Betis with the cutting edge they need up front.
Betting Insights
- Betis, who are the favorites here at 2.5, have superior form and more quality overall, but that’s no guarantee for victory against such a hard-working opponent.
- The ‘Both Teams To Score’ option is a huge favorite here at 1.6 and that seems justifiable, given the attacking qualities of both sides and the fact that PAOK have scored 1.67 goals per game at home in the Europa League while conceding just 0.33.
Prediction
Both have the quality to score on Thursday night, but with more European pedigree and a great away form, we’re going with Betis to come away with a narrow victory.
