As we approach another electrifying night of Europa League football, PAOK Thessaloniki FC prepares to face FC FCSB. This match holds weight for both squads as it represents Round 2 of the 2024/2025 Europa League Group Stage. Set for October 3rd, 2024, at 21:00, fans will flock to Toumba Stadium in Thessaloniki, Greece. Known for its intimidating atmosphere, PAOK’s home support is legendary. Their recent form, however, has been inconsistent. They’ve suffered losses to Aris Thessaloniki FC and the formidable Galatasaray. Meanwhile, FC FCSB arrives spirited, having beaten Sepsi OSK and RFS in recent matches.
Looking back, PAOK and FC FCSB last clashed in a friendly, with PAOK narrowly winning 2-1. This suggests we might see a tightly contested game. Keep an eye on PAOK’s Giannis Konstantelias, who has scored once this season, and FC FCSB’s Darius Olaru, already with two goals, gearing up for key roles in their teams’ attacking play.
PAOK Thessaloniki FC vs FC FCSB Prediction & Betting tip
Considering all factors, the prediction tilts in favor of PAOK Thessaloniki FC. Their home advantage at Toumba Stadium is significant, combined with their solid track record against FC FCSB, marking them as favorites. Despite FC FCSB’s recent prowess in their domestic league, their unpredictable performances on the European stage raise some concerns.
| PAOK Thessaloniki FC vs FC FCSB Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Prediction | Odds |
| PAOK to win | 1.8 |
PAOK Thessaloniki FC vs FC FCSB Odds
The odds highlight PAOK Thessaloniki FC as the team to back. With their home field being a fortress, and historical successes over FC FCSB, bookmakers set the odds for PAOK to claim victory at 1.61. FC FCSB’s odds stand at 4.50, a reflection of their European performances, while a draw is offered at 3.70, indicating a competitive edge but clear favoritism towards the Greek side.
| PAOK Thessaloniki FC vs FC FCSB Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| PAOK Win | 1.61 |
| Draw | 3.70 |
| FC FCSB Win | 4.50 |
| Both Teams to Score: Yes | 1.78 |
| Both Teams to Score: No | 1.96 |
| Over 2.5 Goals | 1.75 |
| Under 2.5 Goals | 2.03 |
PAOK Thessaloniki FC Team Analysis
PAOK Thessaloniki FC Recent Performance
PAOK Thessaloniki FC has shown a mix of results lately, pointing to some level of inconsistency. In their last five games, they notched up two wins, a draw, and two losses. Their most recent matches saw them falling to Aris Thessaloniki FC 0-1 and Galatasaray 1-3, but they reclaimed their prowess with a 4-1 win over NFC Volos. They average 1.40 goals per game, while conceding at 1.20, which shows both their strength up front and gaps in their defense.
| Recent Home/Away Team Results | |
|---|---|
| PAOK vs. Aris Thessaloniki FC (H) | 0-1 Loss |
| PAOK vs. Galatasaray (A) | 1-3 Loss |
| PAOK vs. NFC Volos (H) | 4-1 Win |
PAOK Thessaloniki FC Key Players
PAOK’s lineup is brimming with talent. Giannis Konstantelias leads the way as their top goal-scorer this season. In goal, Dominik Kotarski is crucial in shoring up the defense. With creativity from Taison in midfield and stability from Tiemoue Bakayoko, they create a solid backbone. Tarik Tissoudali’s flair in attack, along with the defensive reliability of Abdul Rahman Baba and Giannis Michailidis, play into their strategy against FC FCSB.
PAOK Thessaloniki FC Suspensions & Injuries
Injury setbacks include Brandon, with an ankle injury, and Omar Colley with a knock. Brandon is expected back in early October, while Omar Colley is likely to return mid-month. These injuries could require tactical changes to PAOK’s setup, with substitutions and strategic alterations becoming pivotal.
| Player | Injury | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|
| Brandon | Ankle injury | Early October 2024 |
| Omar Colley | Knock injury | Mid October 2024 |
PAOK Thessaloniki FC Tactics and Formation
Expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, PAOK favors maintaining possession and making swift transitions when chances arise. They will probably aim to exploit any gaps in FC FCSB’s defense, utilizing width and pressing high up the pitch to capitalize on their home turf advantage. Andrija Zivkovic and Stefan Schwab may have significant roles in attacking movements.
FC FCSB Team Analysis
FC FCSB Recent Performance
FC FCSB comes into this clash on a high, after winning three and drawing two of their last five matches. With their recent wins over Sepsi OSK (1-0) and RFS (4-1), they have been showcasing both resilience and offensive capability. They have an average of 2.00 goals scored per match while letting in only 0.80 goals, demonstrating a potent attack and tight defense.
| Recent Home/Away Team Results | |
|---|---|
| FC FCSB vs. Sepsi OSK (H) | 1-0 Win |
| FC FCSB vs. RFS (A) | 4-1 Win |
FC FCSB Key Players
Star performer Darius Olaru, with two goals this season, is pivotal in FC FCSB’s offensive strategies. Florin Tanase brings creativity, while Octavian Popescu adds speed to their attack. Midfield stability is provided by Adrian Sut and Alexandru Baluta. Defensively, Joyskim Dawa and Vlad Chiriches are essential in their tactical formation.
FC FCSB Suspensions & Injuries
One advantage for FC FCSB is their injury-free status, allowing them flexibility in tactics and player selection. This readiness means they can adjust during the game as needed without constraints.
| Player | Status | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
FC FCSB Tactics and Formation
FC FCSB might deploy a flexible 4-3-3 or stick to a 4-2-3-1, concentrating on a solid defense and rapid counter-attacks. They will lean on Tanase and Popescu for impactful breaks and look to capitalize on set-pieces. Maintaining a high defensive line could counter PAOK’s attacking threats, pressing them effectively.
PAOK Thessaloniki FC vs FC FCSB Head-to-Head Statistics
Historically, these matches have been tightly contested. PAOK snatched a 2-1 victory in their last encounter, indicating their capability to edge out FC FCSB. Matches between these sides usually see an average of about 3 goals, suggesting an engaging and high-energy game with tactical flair from both ends.
| Home | Away | Result |
|---|---|---|
| PAOK | FCSB | 2-1 Win |
Venue and Weather
Sixty-seven-year-old Toumba Stadium will host this match in the vibrant city of Thessaloniki. Known for its fervent and passionate fan presence, the venue adds excitement to any game. On October 3rd, the weather looks pleasant, with temperatures around 22.92°C and scattered clouds. Mild winds at 4.93 m/s mean players can focus on their game without weather distractions, promising an electrifying and dynamic football spectacle.
