In the last round of the Champions League qualifier on Wednesday evening, among others, the return leg between PAOK Thessaloniki and Benfica Lisbon. After the 1-1 draw from the first leg, the Greeks have the better starting position to reach the finals because of their home advantage in the second leg. However, Benfica is a favorite with PAOK Salonika if they are to get ahead with betting odds around 1.75 the betting providers. We recommend, however, bet on at least one hit on both sides. The venue for the match between the two clubs is the Toumba Stadium.
PAOK:
For PAOK Thessaloniki the start of the season was as hoped. In the Champions League qualification, the Greeks had to start from the second round, where they prevailed confidently against FC Basel. Then they met Spartak Moscow. Against the Russian representatives, the first leg was won 3-2, in the second leg in Moscow was therefore enough a 0-0 for the final round of qualifying. After a 1-1 draw in the first leg against Benfica, coach Razvan Lucescu’s side have a good start to the second leg tie next Wednesday. In the domestic Super League PAOK Saloniki also won to kick off last Saturday against Asteras Tripolis 1-0.
Consequently, PAOK Thessaloniki won all three home games this season. In five out of six games this season, PAOK scored at least once in the opponent’s goal. With Leo Jaba, Chuba Akpom, Yevhen Khacheridi and Pontus Wernbloom the club management PAOK Saloniki was able to strengthen well in the summer break. All four players played in the league this weekend. Reaching the finals of the premier class would be a great success for the club. In the club’s history, the Greeks never succeeded. The last meeting with Benfica before the first leg was in 2014 in the Europa League. At that time PAOK Thessaloniki lost both matches against the Portuguese.
Benfica Lisbon:
In contrast to PAOK Thessaloniki, Benfica Lisbon had to play only in the third round of the Champions League qualification. The two duels with Fenerbahce Istanbul could decide the Portuguese in their favor (1: 0/1: 1). In the first leg against PAOK Thessaloniki, they were also clearly superior and allowed only an opposing shot on goal. This shot on goal, however, led to the only goal, which they then could not compensate. In the second leg against a foreign backdrop, they are now under pressure against home strong Greeks. Benfica, however, is extremely outwardly strong. In the domestic Primeira Liga, the Portuguese lost only one away game last season.
The start of the season was also achieved by Benfica. Of the first three games, the team of coach Rui Vitoria was able to win two, against Sporting Lisbon, there was a 1-1 draw in front of home crowd. With 80 goals scored, Benfica Lisbon had the second strongest offensive of the Portuguese Primeira Liga last season. On average, the “eagles” hit 2.35 times per game. With Andre Horta, Bryan Cristante and Raul Jimenez left the club in the summer break, three important players. In return, the Portuguese strengthened, among others, with Nicolas Castillo, German Conti, Facundo Ferreyra and Cristian Lema. According to PAOK Salonika, Benfica Lisbon has slightly higher odds of winning than the Greek opponents, according to betting odds bookmakers. Successful bets on the Portuguese still bring more than double the bet.
PREDICTION: Under 2.5 goals @ 1.65
