Qarabag FK vs PAOK: Preview and Prediction

Qarabag FK vs PAOK Thessaloniki FC
UEFA Europa League – Group J
Date: Thursday, 20th October, 2016
Kick-off: 18:00 UK.
Venue: Tofiq Bahramov Stadium.

The Thursday’s Europa League Group J awaits one of the crucial encounters when Azerbaijan club Qarabag FK plays hosts to Greece club PAOK. As per the current group standing, it’s a must win game for Qarabag FK to keep their hope alive to progress into the knockout phase of the tournament. In the other side PAOK will try to provide their best efforts to make sure their progress in the next knockout round.

PAOK have made a perfect start to their Europa League campaign by securing a goal-less home draw against Italian side Fiorentina and one crucial 1-2 away win over Czech Republic side Slovan Liberec in the first two matches.

While Qarabag FK have made a terrible start to their Europa League campaign by securing on 2-2 home draw against Czech Republic side Slovan Liberec and a big 5-1 away defeat against Italian side Fiorentina in their first two matches.

Key Facts

PAOK currently enjoys their unbeaten run in the 11 consecutive games in all competition. In addition to that, the PAOK side has conceded only 5 goals in their last 11 matches.

Qarabag FK currently maintains 2 win, 2 lose and 1 draw in their last 5 games in all competition. In addition, they have conceded 8 goals in their last 5 matches.

Qarabag FK: Predicted Line-Up (4-3-3)

Sehic – Sadiqov, Agolli, Medvedev, Huseynov – Qarayev, Michel, Richard – Reynaldo, Dani Quintana, Ndlovu.

PAOK: Predicted Line-Up (4-2-3-1)

Glykos – Leovac, Malezas, Varela, Matos – Canas, Cimirot – Rodrigues, Shakhov, Djalma – Athanasiadis.

Qarabag FK vs PAOK: Head-to-Head Stats

Qarabag have never played against Greece opponent PAOK in any UEFA competitions before.

PAOK have traveled to Azerbaijan last time on 2015, they held a goalless draw against Azerbaijan club Qabala in a UEFA Europa League match.

Qarabag FK vs PAOK: Prediction

Qarabag will depend on the home advantage to register their first win from J group of the UEFA Europa League. But PAOK will also look for full points and they have already secured a big away win at Slovan Liberec and will not be intimidated by the hostile atmosphere at the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium.

And it will be a very close affair between the two teams. But PAOK are a slightly better side as compared with Qarabag. Therefore, we will be backing the Greek outfit to secure a 1 goal victory over Azerbaijan side on Thursday’s Europa League clash.

Predicted result will be a draw or PAOK win by 1 goal margin.