Will PAOK win a European Cup game in Spain for the first time?
There are still a number of decisions to be made in the UEFA Europa League before the final matchday. Two clubs that no longer have any major concerns will face each other in the Basque Country on Thursday evening. Logically, the Real Sociedad vs. PAOK Saloniki betting tip must therefore take into account the fact that neither the home side from San Sebastian nor the guests from Thessaloniki have a chance of finishing in the top eight, but at the same time can only mathematically drop out of the top 24.
Given that the second most important club competition at the European level is, on the one hand, about bagging the six-figure prize money, which should not be underestimated, and, on the other hand, that every point is important for the final ranking and the resulting tournament bracket, the prediction between Real Sociedad and PAOK Saloniki is nevertheless that both teams will play for victory and want to move up the table with a sense of achievement .
On the home side’s part, there is also the aspect of redemption. Coach Imanol is eager to see his young team respond after the crushing 3-0 home defeat at the weekend to Getafe. Although the odds before the final duel Real Sociedad vs. PAOK Saloniki clearly favor the home team, the Greeks’ recent results in international competition should be a warning enough.
Real Sociedad – Statistics & current form
With Robin Le Normand (Atletico Madrid) and Mikel Marino (Arsenal), two very important players left the club in the summer. Although around 50 of the 60 million taken in revenue were immediately reinvested, Real Sociedad signed rather young players who, after around half a year, are still struggling to live up to the increased expectations in the Basque Country in recent years. Time and again, the La Liga club has made inexplicable mistakes, which are partly responsible for the fact that the blue and whites have so far disappointed across the board in La Liga, finishing ninth.
Real Sociedad hopes for redemption
Last week in particular proved to be a bitter setback for the high standards of coach Imanol Alguacil, who according to media reports is said to be embroiled in an internal power struggle with the outgoing sporting director. First, Real Sociedad lost 1-0 at relegation-threatened Valencia, then they lost 3-1 in the Europa League at Lazio Roma, and finally, they embarrassingly lost 3-0 at home to Getafe after conceding three goals in the space of a few minutes.
Although they have only managed two wins from a total of six competitive games in all competitions and their form could certainly be better, I expect that on Thursday evening between Real Sociedad and PAOK Saloniki, a prediction of a home win will come true. The most recent two home wins in the European Cup against Ajax Amsterdam (2-0) and Dynamo Kiev (3-0), which were very convincing, also support this.
Nevertheless, one should not expect a goal fest in the last league phase match, because in fact the kickers from San Sebastian have the second-weakest offense (17 goals) in La Liga, but they also have the second-best defense (17 goals conceded). For this reason, I am also checking the odds for a home win including a clean sheet before the Real Sociedad vs PAOK Saloniki game.
PAOK Saloniki – Statistics & current form
As reigning champions of Greece, PAOK Saloniki had the chance to secure a ticket to the Champions League group stage in the summer. However, the white-and-blacks failed in the third qualifying round after a penalty shootout against Malmö and had to settle for the Europa League after a playoff triumph against the Shamrock Rovers. Ahead of the final matchday, the two-headed eagle of the north is more than a leg and a half into the intermediate round. Only an unrealistically high defeat or a series of high scores by numerous opponents could cause PAOK to slip out of the top 24.
PAOK rarely spreads terror away from home in European competition
On paper, Razvan Lucescu’s team therefore needs just one point to reach the next round from a winning position. However, it is doubtful whether this point will come away from home, because the cult club from Thessaloniki has not won two consecutive away games in the European Cup since 2011/12. In the current EL season, they suffered defeats at Galatasaray (1-3) and at Manchester United (0-2). However, three points were taken from Riga.
In general, the white-blacks have recently performed really well on the international stage. Three wins in a row without conceding a goal are definitely a statement, even though the opposition was nowhere near the caliber of the Basques. To make matters worse, “Asprómavri” have never won a European Cup match in Spain in six attempts (0-2-4) and are currently facing major problems in the league itself.
Four points and only three goals scored in the last four match days have caused the defending champions to slip to fourth place and lose touch with the top. In connection with the clear disadvantage of having to play away and due to the rather harmless offensive performance in recent games, the betting odds for under 2.5 goals between Real Sociedad and PAOK Saloniki are also of interest. For the Asian under 2.75, there is a 1.80 to be had at Bet365.
Real Sociedad – PAOK Saloniki Direct comparison / H2H record
This will be the first time the two clubs have ever met in a competitive game. PAOK’s poor away record against Spanish teams (0-2-4) has already been discussed. Meanwhile, this is only the third time Real Sociedad have faced a Greek team. The Basques have not yet lost in the first two matches (1-1-0).
Real Sociedad – PAOK Thessaloniki betting tip
The big excitement is not likely to happen on Thursday evening at the Reale Arena in San Sebastian. Both teams can no longer be displaced from the top 24, but at the same time they no longer have a mathematical chance of reaching the top eight. Nevertheless, it is not even remotely in the DNA of both coaches to create a wild match with many goals. The previous results at international level, the poor form of the PAOK offense and the general pragmatism of the Basques also suggest a game in which a maximum of four goals will be scored, and more likely even fewer.
I also see advantages for the home side, as they desperately want to show a reaction after a bad week and also claim a certain home strength in European football. PAOK, on the other hand, are usually much weaker away than at home. In addition, the white-blacks have an important home game in the league against AEK Athens at the weekend, which could be prioritized.
I am therefore combining my Real Sociedad vs. PAOK Saloniki tip with a maximum of four goals in the game and getting 1.90 as the highest odds at Bwin.
