PAOK vs Gent Match Analysis and Prediction

4 years ago 576

PAOK and Gent will have an encounter in Thessaloniki at the Stadio Toumbas for the first leg of their Europa Conference Laegue last-16 tie on Thursday.

The hosts have been unbeaten at home in any competition since early December, while Gent are yet to be defeated on the road in 2022.

After finishing second in Group F earlier this season, PAOK were facing a tough test to advance to the last 16 following their 1-0 defeat against FC Midjylland in the first leg of their playoff tie, a result that ended their 14-game unbeaten streak across all competitions.

However, they secured a 2-1 victory in the second leg before winning 5-3 on penalties, with their top scorer Jasmin Kurtic tucking away the decisive spot kick.

PAOK are now competing in the last 16 in European competition for the first time in their history, having previously been eliminated from the UEFA Cup or Europa League on four occasions in the round of 32.

Razvan Lucescu’s side will be confident of success on Thursday as they are unbeaten in each of their last 12 home matches across all competitions, scoring at least twice on 11 of these occasions.

On the other hand, Gent finished top of Group B after collecting 13 points from six matches, five more than Partizan in second place.

Hein Vanhaezebrouck’s side, who are the only Belgian team participating in the European knockout round this season, are now preparing for their first ever competitive match against Greek opposition.

Gent are currently enjoying an impressive run of domestic form, as they have won each of their last six Belgian Pro League matches, which has seen them climb up to fifth place and to within three points of the Champions League qualification places, and will aim to carry their league form into the Europa Conference League.

PAOK vs Gent head to head

The two clubs have previously met on two occasions in Club Friendly matches, where Gent have won once and they have drawn in one. Gent have scored 3 goals and conceded 1 in the process. This is going to be the first time they will be meeting in a competitive match.

PAOK 0-2 Gent 07/07/17

PAOK 1-1 Gent 12/07/18

PAOK latest home form

PAOK have recently been on a good run of form at home, as they have been unbeaten in their twelve most recent matches. They recently managed to defeat Midtjylland 2-1 after extra time in the Europa Conference League. In their last five, they have scored seven goals and conceded four.

PAOK 1-1 Olympiakos 30/01/22

PAOK 2-1 Panathinaikos 06/02/22

PAOK 1-0 Atromitos 13/02/22

PAOK 2-1 Midtjylland 24/02/22

PAOK 1-1 Ionikos 27/02/22

PAOK latest away form

PAOK have recently been on a good run of form on the road, having lost just one of their eight most recent away matches. That lost came 1-0 against Midtjylland in the Europa Conference League on February 17. In their last five, they have scored five goals and conceded three.

AEK Athens 1-2 PAOK 09/02/22

Midtjylland 1-0 PAOK 17/02/22

Aris 0-0 PAOK 20/02/22

AEK Athens 1-1 PAOK 02/03/22

Lamia 0-2 PAOK 06/03/22

Gent latest home form

Gent have most recently been on a good form at home, as they have won in each of their two most recent matches. However, they recently lost 1-0 to Club Brugge in the Belgian Cup. In their last five matches, they have won two, drawn one and lost two.

Gent 1-1 KV Oostende 25/01/22

Gent 0-1 Antwerp 30/01/22

Gent 0-1 Club Brugge 02/02/22

Gent 4-0 RFC Seraing 23/02/22

Gent 2-1 Zulte Waregem 06/03/22

Gent latest away form

Gent have recently been on a good run of form on the road, having been unbeaten in their six most recent away matches. They recently managed to defeat Club Brugge 3-0 in the Belgian Cup. In their last five away matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded just one.

Sporting Charleroi 0-0 Gent 22/01/22

Club Brugge 1-2 Gent 06/02/22

AS Eupen 0-1 Gent 12/02/22

Standard Liege 0-1 Gent 27/02/22

Club Brugge 0-3 Gent 02/03/22

PAOK news

PAOK are still without Nelson Olivera, who has been sidelined since August last year with an ACL injury, while winger Alaxandru Mitrita is suffering with an ankle problem.

Theocharis Tsigaras and Kurtic are set to begin in centre-midfield, while either Sidcley or Vierinha is likely to start at left-back on Thursday.

Gent news

Gent’s only injury concern is with forward Gianni Bruno, who is suffering with a muscle problem.

Laurent Depoitre and Tarik Tissoudali are likely to begin up front, while Ukranian Roman Bezus is ready to play, despite Russia’s ongoing invasion of his homeland, and is likely to start in the advanced midfield.

Prediction and Odds

Gent have recently put together a six-game winning run in all competitions, and will definitely come to this contest with confidence, which will give PAOK a tough task.

PAOK will be keen on taking advantage from the first leg on home soil, and with that said, we expect a draw here.

Odds: 1 2.35 X 2.05 2 2.10