Panetolikos (home)
- Panetolikos are on a run of one win in five competitive matches, following a 0-5 defeat at AEK and a 0-1 home loss to Volos.
- The hosts have won only one of their last five competitive games and have failed to beat PAOK in recent Super League meetings, with PAOK winning the last two 2 - 0 and 1 - 0.
PAOK (away)
- PAOK Thessaloniki are a top-three team in the Greek Super League with 35 points from 15 games this season and look like they are in the title and European race.
- PAOK have won the majority of their last five matches, including a 2-0 win over Panathinaikos, while juggling their Europa League commitments.
- PAOK boss Răzvan Lucescu has instilled a 4-2-3-1 system with a pressing game and plenty of ball dominance that has kept the side fresh through a run of games by his frequent rotations and has made them the league’s most consistent side.
Head-to-Head
- PAOK have won most of the recent Super League head-to-heads, winning 2-0 and 1-0 in the last two.
- PAOK have taken all the points in recent trips to Agrinio.
Key Players
- Kosta Aleksić leads the scoring for Panetolikos this season, but is the only out-and-out goal threat.
- Lazar Kojić and Alexandru Mățan bring the creativity in midfield of their 4-3-3, which Giannis Anastasiou has tried to make compact and disciplined since his return in October.
- Andreas Bouchalakis provides the experience and stability in the engine room, which will be tested by a side with multiple players capable of providing goals from midfield, particularly Magomed Ozdoyev.
Betting Insights
- The visitors are the heavy favourites for this clash at 1.37, while Panetolikos are 8.0 outsiders and the draw is at 4.2.
- Under 2.5 goals, which is 1.93, seems a shade short for this game, but given PAOK’s defensive record and depth of attacking talent, the popular bet on a low-scoring away win looks good for us.
- A 1-0 or 2-0 win, possibly with a clean sheet, is the preferred exact score prediction and the odds favour PAOK.
Prediction
- They should have far too much quality for the hosts on Saturday, especially if the game remains calm and they can manage the game and pressing triggers.
- Three points would keep PAOK in the title race and keep their European momentum going.
