- RSC Anderlecht have won their last 2 matches, beating PAOK 0-1 in the first leg.
- FC PAOK Thessaloniki have won 3 of their last 5 games.
- FC PAOK are the slight odds favorite here at 2.65, with RSC Anderlecht 2.92 and the draw 3.05.
A tale of two coaches and two approaches to the game
In one corner, Vítor Bruno has been working on a controlled build-up, compact, possession-first strategy at Anderlecht, with a midfield that only presses selectively and a team that is rock-solid at the back at home.
In the other, Alessio Lisci has been developing PAOK's style to be much more vertical, to find space and hit on the counter. The match-up between these two contrasting approaches could lead to a chess match of the flanks, who can penetrate and who can hold.
The hosts are in better form right now, winning 3 and drawing 2 in their last 5, including a 1-0 away win over PAOK in UEFA Europa League Qualification 2026. They're a possession side, with a sturdy home defensive record, they've conceded just 6 goals at Lotto Park, averaging 1.20 goals against in all competitions.
PAOK Thessaloniki have been tricky on their travels in all current competitions, drawing both of their last two, but they're unbeaten on the road (D2). They've averaged 1.50 goals scored and 1.50 goals conceded per away game in all comps, suggesting that they can trade punches, but they could also get left open.
Giannis Konstantelias has been the danger man for PAOK in this competition so far, top-scoring with 3 goals in 2 games. He's scored 3 goals in their 5-game run, so he's carrying his side on his back.
Anderlecht's danger man is Danylo Sikan, the Ukraine international has scored 3 goals in Anderlecht's last 5-game run, he's got the sharp end of their attack and the final ball.
A tight second leg, with a few goals
Anderlecht have the edge in this one, with the first-leg win giving them the advantage. They're underdogs, but the odds suggest a much easier game than it's likely to be. PAOK have been in mixed form, not flat, they're dangerous in attack, but they lost at home to Anderlecht last time out.
The odds look right in that respect, and we'll be having a flutter on Over 2.5 goals (1.88) and Both Teams to Score (1.6) here. PAOK's 10-game record in all competition is W4, D3 and L3, suggesting that they could get the result, but they're likely to get turned over in the process.
