Europa League | League Stage

Oct 24, 2024 at 5.45pm UK

Stadio Toumbas

PAOK vs Plzen

Match preview

PAOK are one of just six teams in the revamped 36-team Europa League who've lost their first two matches. They were beaten 3-1 by Galatasaray and then lost 1-0 at home to FCSB, who were down to 10 men, three weeks ago.

On the domestic front, Razvan Lucescu's side have done well so far this season. The defending Greek Super League champions are joint top of the table with 17 points from their opening eight games, and have scored a league-high 14 goals.

The White-Blacks had to settle for a 1-1 draw with AEK Athens last weekend. Baba Rahman gave them the lead early on, but Frantzdy Pierrot equalised before half-time. Neither side could find a winner in a tight contest in the Greek capital.

PAOK are competing in the Europa League for the first time in four years after reaching the quarter-finals in the Conference League last season. They're looking to improve their form in Europe's secondary club competition, having won just one of their last 12 matches (D3 L8).

PAOK have only lost one of their last six Europa League games at home (the defeat to FCSB earlier this month), and they've won all three of their previous home games against Czech teams, which is good news ahead of their game against Viktoria Plzeň.

Viktoria Plzeň are competing in the Europa League proper for the first time since 2017-18. They've held their own in this season's competition, even though they're yet to taste victory.

Plzeň scored two goals in the final four minutes to rescue a point in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt – the 2021-22 Europa League winners – on matchday one. They also shared the spoils in a goalless stalemate with Bulgarian champions Ludogorets three weeks ago.

Miroslav Koubek's team has only lost one of their 17 competitive games across all competitions so far this season. They're currently third in the Czech First League with 24 points from 11 matches. Most recently, they beat Banik Ostrava 3-1 away from home last weekend.

What's more, Plzeň have been on a winning streak in Europe, not losing in 90 minutes in any of their last 22 matches (W15, D7), including qualifiers. Their performance in Europa League away games is less impressive, though. They've only won three of their last 18 such matches.

Plzeň are preparing for their first-ever meeting with PAOK. They have only previously faced Greek opposition in the 2019-20 Champions League qualifying rounds, where they drew 0-0 with Olympiacos on home soil and suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat in the reverse fixture.15:05 2024/10/24

Recent Performance

PAOK Europa League form:WWLL

PAOK form (all competitions):WLLLWD

Viktoria Plzen Europa League form:WWWWDD

Viktoria Plzen form (all competitions):LDDDWW

Possible starting lineups

PAOK possible starting lineup:

Kotarski; Jonny, Kedziora, Lovren, Rahman; Camara, Ozdoyev; Despodov, Konstantelias, Taison; Chalov

Viktoria Plzen possible starting lineup:

Jedlicka; Dweh, Markovic, Jemelka; Jirka, Cerv, Kalvach, Cadu; Sulc, Panos; Adu