PAOK vs Rijeka Prediction 28.08.2025
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PAOK vs Rijeka Prediction
PAOK vs Rijeka Prediction and Betting Tips for Thursday’s Europa League Playoff second leg in Thessaloniki. PAOK are hoping to recover from a 1-0 first-leg defeat in Croatia, where Luka Melano struck the only goal. In this article, you’ll discover Europa League Predictions from XpertStats tipsters.
- PAOK must overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit after defeat in Croatia.
- Rijeka are struggling in domestic form, with back-to-back league losses.
- PAOK boast a strong historical record against Croatian opponents.
- Both sides know Europa League qualification means big financial stakes.
PAOK’s European campaign has been a rocky ride so far. They needed extra time to squeeze past Wolfsberger in the last round, only progressing thanks to a late strike from Mady Camara. In the Greek league, they edged Larissa 1-0 at the weekend, but doubts remain. Can the side that topped Greece’s scoring charts last season really be struggling this badly in front of goal? That’s the puzzle coach Razvan Lucescu is trying to solve.
Still, PAOK remain the favorites. This is a club with a rich track record against Croatian teams, having beaten Rijeka in a playoff just four years ago and previously knocking out Dinamo and Hajduk Split. There’s pedigree here, and Lucescu now has firepower in Giorgos Giakoumakis and Luka Ivanusec, both of whom could feature from the start. If they click, this tie could look very different very quickly.
As for Rijeka, their win last Thursday was historic. It was the club’s first-ever victory against Greek opposition in seven attempts. Yet the timing couldn’t be more awkward. Domestic form has taken a nosedive, with a 2-1 defeat at home to Varazdin on Sunday leaving supporters frustrated. Radomir Dalovic’s men looked sharp for spells, but consistency is the glaring issue. Can they really hold their nerve in Thessaloniki?
Even so, Rijeka will remind themselves they’re still in Europe no matter what, thanks to a guaranteed Conference League spot. But financially and reputationally, reaching the Europa League proper is massive. They’ve only managed it four times since 2013, and not since 2020. That said, with Mile Skoric and Dominik Yankov sidelined, Dalovic’s options are limited. Against a full-strength PAOK side chasing redemption, it could be a long Thursday night.
Momentum, history, and squad depth all point towards PAOK. Nothing is certain in football, but the feeling in Thessaloniki is that the comeback is very much on. Keep an eye out for more Europa League Predictions on XpertStats as the playoff drama unfolds.
PAOK are in a must-win situation, and history suggests they usually deliver when it matters. The Greek side may have looked rusty in qualifying, but with their domestic season now underway, match sharpness should improve. Razvan Lucescu has attacking reinforcements like Giorgos Giakoumakis and Luka Ivanusec at his disposal, both capable of making a difference up front. At home, PAOK’s record in European playoffs is strong, including wins over Croatian opponents such as Dinamo and Hajduk Split in recent years. Rijeka, meanwhile, come into this clash on the back of two straight league defeats and have shown defensive vulnerabilities. Missing key players like Mile Skoric only adds to their concerns. The first-leg victory was Rijeka’s first ever against Greek opposition, but sustaining that momentum away from home is another challenge. With the crowd behind them in Thessaloniki, PAOK look primed to respond strongly.
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