Verdict: Celta Vigo win
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Luckster
90 minutes away from punching their Europa League Round of 16 ticket on Thursday night, Celta Vigo will welcome PAOK to Spain.
Celta Vigo
Starting with the hosts, claiming a crucial first-leg advantage last week as they secured a 2-1 victory in Greece, Celta Vigo will be looking to extend on their Europa League adventure with a statement of intent. Last seen over the weekend securing a 2-0 win at home against Mallorca, the Sky Blues have recorded consecutive victories and have come roaring back since their minor blip on either side of opening February. Losing just a pair of their previous 12 appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to December 17th – Claudio Giraldez’s side should also be excited by their extended success at Balaidos. Including a 2-1 win against French giants Lille last month, Celta Vigo have won five of their previous six showdowns in Galicia.
Celta Vigo Team News
Suffering a reported injury during Celta Vigo’s 2-0 victory against Mallorca on Sunday, academy graduate Pablo Duran will miss out on Thursday night. Likewise, dealing with a recent ankle issue, Hugo Sotelo remains a major doubt here.
Bagging a first-leg strike in Greece last week and now registering four direct goal contributions (three goals, one assist) in his previous two outings, veteran striker Iago Aspas will be handed a full recall. Former Chelsea ace Marcos Alonso will once again start at the heart of Celta’s defence in midweek.
PAOK
As for the visitors, missing out on the chance to claim a first-leg advantage on home soil last week as they slumped to that 2-1 defeat in Thessaloniki, PAOK have an almighty challenge on their hands here. Failing to claim a domestic response over the weekend as they had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate against AEL Larissa, Razvan Lucescu’s side have continued to show some recent inconsistencies. Mustering just a single victory from any of their previous five appearances across all competitions, PAOK are also desperately searching for a clinical edge in the final third. It should also be highlighted, Thursday’s guests fell to a routine 3-1 defeat when they travelled to Balaidos for a group stage showdown back on October 2nd.
PAOK Team News
While veteran defender Dejan Lovern might have been handed a full domestic rest against AEL Larissa over the weekend, the former Liverpool star should be handed a full recall. Struggling to find his feet after completing a move from Feyenoord last summer, Luka Ivanusec remains on the sidelines with a toe injury.
Bagging a consolation sticker in Thessaloniki last week and registering a first Europa League strike of the season, Swedish striker Alexander Jeremejeff will spearhead PAOK’s attack. Former Everton youngster Jonjoe Kenny should keep his spot at right-back.
Celta Vigo vs PAOK Key Factors to Consider
- When Celta Vigo and PAOK met for their first-leg showdown in Thessaloniki last week, Thursday’s hosts collected a 2-1 victory.
- Likewise, Celta claimed a routine 3-1 win when they welcomed PAOK to Spain for a group stage meeting on October 2nd.
- The Sky Blues have lost just a pair of their previous 12 appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to December 17th.
- Celta Vigo have won five of their previous six showdowns in Galicia across all competitions.
- Spanish international Iago Aspas has registered four direct goal contributions (three goals, one assist) in his previous two appearances over the past week.
Conclusion
Claiming a crucial first-leg advantage on foreign soil last week, Celta Vigo will be confident of booking their Europa League Round of 16 ticket with a statement here. Clinching a 2-1 victory in Thessaloniki, Thursday’s hosts are rightfully installed as a standout contender when they return to Spain. Gaining a reputation for their extended dominance at Balaidos and winning six of their last seven showdowns in front of their own supporters, we are backing a similar outcome in midweek.
Verdict: Celta Vigo win
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Luckster