Galatasaray will be targeting a positive start as they welcome PAOK to RAMS Park for their opening fixture in the Europa League. Both teams are looking sharp at the start of the season but the Turks have been particularly impressive and should have the upper hand at home.
It has been a solid start to the season for Galatasaray, who have looked imperious since falling from the Champions League into the Europa League. Okan Buruk’s men have a 100% record in the Super Lig having won all six of their matches so far.
Playing with plenty of confidence at the moment, Galatasaray head into Wednesday’s clash off the back of a 3-1 victory over Fenerbahce in a domestic fixture. They were mostly untroubled, with Dries Mertens and Gabriel Sara among the goals.
PAOK also fell from the Champions League and had to come through the Europa League playoffs. They did the double over Shamrock Rovers to reach the main competition, claiming a 6-0 aggregate victory.
The victory over Shamrock Rovers highlights PAOK’s fine showings this season as they are unbeaten in their last seven matches across all competitions. Razvan Lucescu’s men have claimed six wins in that run, including a 4-1 victory at Volos NFC last weekend.
How the bookies view it: Galatasaray overwhelming favourites
Galatasaray have been installed as overwhelming favourites and are priced at 4/7 by Betfred to claim the win. A victory for PAOK is valued at 9/2 by Betfred, who is also offering odds of 16/5 for a draw.
Head to head: First ever meeting
There are no previous meetings between Galatasaray and PAOK.
Players to watch: Mertens to shine
Dries Mertens has been one of the standout players for Galatasaray at the start of the season and could be worth keeping an eye on. The forward has four goals in his last five matches and is priced at 21/10 by Betfred to find the net on Wednesday.
PAOK often spread their goals across the team but Taison has caught the eye in recent weeks, scoring in four of his last seven appearances. The forward is priced at 5/1 by Betfred to get on the score sheet once again.
Probable line-ups
Galatasaray will be without goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, which serves the first of a three-match suspension. Gunay Guvenc should feature in goal for the Turks while Victor Osimhen is likely to start in attack alongside Mertens and Baris Yilmaz.
Fedor Chalov could be given the nod in attack for PAOK ahead of Tarik Tissoudali after coming off the bench at the weekend. Taison is also expected to retain his place in the team while Tomasz Kedziora should continue in defence.
Galatasaray: Guvenc, Ahyan, Sanchez, Bardakci, Jakobs, Torreira, Sara, Akgun, Mertens, Yilmaz, Osimhen
PAOK: Kotarski, Sastre, Kedziora, Colley, Baba, Kamara, Schwab, Despodov, Murg, Taison, Chalov
Anything else catch the eye?
Galatasaray have seen over 3.5 goals in their last two matches and a repeat is priced at 6/4 with Betfred. They have also scored in both halves in their last five matches and a similar pattern is valued at 6/5 with Betfred.
The Turks are priced at minimal odds for a straight victory, so a win and both teams to score could be considered at 15/8 with Betfred.
This UEFA Europa League match between Galatasaray and PAOK will be played on Sep 25, 2024 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Galatasaray vs PAOK prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
