Shamrock Rovers have a huge deficit to overturn as they host PAOK in their Europa League playoff second leg. The Irish side have been poor lately and should be in for another difficult time against PAOK, who have been impressive lately.
It was a disappointing performance from Shamrock Rovers in the first leg as they fell 4-0 to PAOK. Stephen Bradley’s men were completely outclassed by the Greeks and finished with only one attempt on target.
That result highlights Shamrock Rovers’ struggles this season as they have picked up just two wins from their leg nine matches. They head into Thursday’s clash off the back of a 1-1 home draw with Galway United.
PAOK were rampant in the first leg as they eased to an emphatic 4-0 victory at home. A Daniel Cleary own-goal set them on their way while further efforts from Taison, Giannis Konstantelias and Baba Rahman sealed the win.
Unlike Shamrock Rovers, PAOK have shown some good form lately and have lost just once in their last seven matches. Razvan Lucescu’s men have claimed five wins in that run, keeping clean sheets in the last two.
How the bookies view it: PAOK overwhelmingly favoured
PAOK have been installed as overwhelming favourites among the bookies and are priced at 8/15 by Betfred to claim the win. A victory for Shamrock Rovers is valued at 4/1 by Betfred, who is also offering odds of 3/1 for a draw.
Head to head: No luck for the Irish
PAOK have won all three matches against Shamrock Rovers, with last week’s 4-0 victory their biggest win yet.
Players to watch: Defensive duo to shine
PAOK have looked solid at the back in recent weeks, keeping clean sheets in their last two matches. Centre-backs Konstantinos Koulierakis and Tomasz Kedziora have impressed lately and can lead the Greeks to a clean sheet at 13/10 with Betfred.
At the other end of the pitch, PAOK will look at Taison and Konstantelias to provide the spark. Both men were on target in the first meeting and can help the visitors produce over 1.5 goals on Thursday at 8/13 by Betfred.
Probable line-ups
Joshua Honohan was sent off in the first leg and is ruled out of Thursday’s clash. Trevor Clarke is also likely to miss the second leg after going off injured in the first meeting, although Aaron Greene and Neil Farrugia are expected to start in attack.
Fedor Chalov was a second half substitute in the first meeting and could return to the starting line-up on Thursday. Taison could also be restored after coming off the bench last Sunday in the Super League 1.
Shamrock Rovers: Pohls, Lopes, Hoare, Cleary, Grace, Watts, O'Neil, McEneff, Nugent, Greene, Farrugia
PAOK: Kotarski, Baba, Koulierakis, Kedziora, Sastre, Ozdoev, Schwab, Despodov, Konstantelias, Taison, Chalov
Anything else catch the eye?
PAOK won to nil in the first leg and could be set for a repeat could be on the cards at 13/8 by Betfred. Having scored four goals in that fixture, a -1 handicap could also be considered at 7/5 by Betfred.
The Greeks scored in both halves in the first leg and could be set for a similar pattern at 7/5 with Betfred. They could also be backed to win both halves at 3/1 with Betfred.
This UEFA Europa League match between Shamrock Rovers and PAOK will be played on Aug 29, 2024 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Shamrock Rovers vs PAOK prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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