PAOK didn’t impress in the first leg in Germany, but still managed to get the draw with a goal from Stoch, who played a very good game and showed his rich talent. Approximately three thousands of PAOK’s fans made the trip to Germany to support the team, but the club will be deprived from their own fans in the returning leg.
Greek team is coming from a 2:0 defeat away from home against Panaitolikos last weekend, in a game without spectators too. Their coach Stevens obviously underestimated opponent and rotated his squad a lot, while the hosts showed to be very passionate and achieved great victory that will surely give them much of a morale boost for the next matches. However, as it could be understood, everything revolves for PAOK around this game for now and there is no doubt that their hopes got much higher after the first leg.
Left back Lino is injured and will not participate, same as midfielders Garcia and Vukic, just as winger Lawrence. Also out of the match will remain central defender Lopez, but only for tactical reasons.
Schalke completed four official matches into the new season without a victory last Saturday. Most recent match saw them losing away to Hannover 2:1, as everything went from for them from the start of the game. Howedes got excluded with a red card in fourteenth minute, while the hosts took the lead in next minute from a penalty kick.
Hosts had a 2:0 lead after a half-time whistle, while Schalke couldn’t have done much more but a reducing goal in 55th minute by Szalai. After another defeat, pressure is even more increased in their team and possible exclusion tonight, will cause most likely dismissal of coach Keller. The coach has said that the team has to show personality today, patience and attempt to dominate the field, with possession adding that they have to be aware of counter attacks PAOK will wait for. Important midfielder Farfan is coming back into the starting lineup, same as right back Uchida. Main striker Huntelaar will miss fourth consecutive game, while central defender Papadopoulos, left back Kolasinac, midfielders Obasi and Annan remain all long term sidelined.
There have been under 2.5 goals scored in 5 of PAOK Thessaloniki FC’s last 6 games in the Champions League (including qualifiers)
PAOK Thessaloniki FC have failed to win their last 7 matches in the Champions League (including qualifiers).
German side will have to play open football sooner or later and that should give enough space for fast counter attacks from Greek side to score a goal. On the other hand, Schalke remains slight favorite and will surely try to score at least one goal early into the game.
Bet: Both teams to score
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