- Dynamo Kiev are unbeaten away from home in all competitions, having won two and drawn one of their last three away games.
- PAOK Thessaloniki are hard to beat at home, having won two, drawn two and lost two of their last six home games.
- PAOK are more ball-dominant, Dynamo are more direct and counter-attacking.
A close and competitive fixture
Dynamo Kiev are a lot sharper than their 3-2 first-leg loss to FC PAOK Thessaloniki in the UEFA Europa League Qualification 2026 might suggest. The Ukrainian side have won six, drawn two and lost just two of their last ten in all competitions. PAOK are a decent side, but they have the look of an opponent that Dynamo can certainly get the better of over the course of a two-leg tie.
Dynamo Kiev have been in their best rhythm in their last five competitive games, winning three, drawing one and losing one, and they will travel to Greece for the return leg of this clash with a sense of momentum.
Ihor Kostiuk, who took over on 28 November 2025, has certainly instilled a strong identity to his side, who play a compact, vertical game with good zonal pressing and plenty of energy in transition. When they win the ball back, they look to hit it long and get bodies into the box quickly, and they have a real finisher in Justin Lonwijk, who has scored one goal in his two appearances in the UEFA Europa League Qualification 2026.
PAOK’s edge at the odds
PAOK are a good side, but the 18/25 price on the Greek side here seems a touch short, with Dynamo Kiev 18/5 and the draw 3/1. The hosts will be delighted with their 3-2 first-leg win, but the Ukrainian's ability to cause problems on the break means that this tie is very much alive.
Alessio Lisci took over at PAOK on 1 July 2026 and has done a good job to get the side organised in European football, but Dynamo Kiev are in a better rhythm and have had more time to implement their style of play, which could lead to a very interesting and tactical game of chess in Thessaloniki.
A tactical tug-of-war
PAOK are a more ball-dominant side than Dynamo Kiev, with a more structured style based on controlling the tempo and pressing in coordinated waves, while the full-backs push high and provide the width in their build-up play. Andrija Zivkovic has been the most creative player for PAOK in their last five games, with three assists, while Baptiste Santamaria has been their goal threat, with one in one in their Europa League Qualification 2026 campaign.
The two teams' contrasting styles should ensure that this game is a real tactical battle, with PAOK looking to create a little more control and dominance, and Dynamo looking to press compactly and hunt the counter-attack. The visitors have the greater attacking threat, however, and this should be a close fixture in which PAOK will do well to hold off a resurgent Dynamo Kiev.
FC PAOK have won two, drawn two and lost one of their last five, with their loss to FC Twente prior to the first-leg being a disappointing 2-3 home friendly loss, while the 3-2 win against Dynamo was a high-energy match.
Dynamo drew 0-0 away to Universitatea Cluj and scraped through on penalties, before falling 2-3 to PAOK in the first-leg, a result that showed their grit, but also their bluntness in open play.
Backing both teams to score: Yes at 4/5 looks a smart bet, given the attacking edge to both sides and the 3-2 scoreline in the first-leg.
