Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
EL Salvador
Indonesia
Lithuania
Montenegro
North Macedonia
South Africa
United Arab Emirates

PAOKvs.Shamrock

sportsmole.co.uk, 20 August 2024, 23:30
PAOK welcome Shamrock Rovers to the Toumba Stadium in Greece for the first leg of their Europa League playoff tie on Thursday night.

The winners of this two-legged tie will qualify for the newly-expanded 36-team Europa League, while the losers will drop down into the Conference League.

Match preview

PAOK had ambitions of qualifying for the main stage of the Champions League earlier this month, but those hopes were quashed after they suffered a 6-5 aggregate defeat to Malmo in the third qualifying round last week.

Following a 2-2 first-leg draw in Sweden, PAOK were on the cusp of winning the second leg and edging through on aggregate, until Nils Zatterstrom netted a dramatic 96th-minute equaliser for Malmo to level the thrilling contest at 3-3. Anders Christiansen then scored nine minutes into extra time to send the Greek hosts packing.

Razvan Lucescu's side have been given a European lifeline, though, as they have dropped down into the Europa League playoffs, while they managed to quickly shake off their Champions League disappointment by beating Panserraikos 3-2 in their opening match of the new Greek Super League season last weekend.

PAOK were made the work for maximum points, but Stefan Schwab scored two penalties either side of a strike from Magomed Ozdoyev to help the reigning Greek champions begin the defence of their crown in positive fashion.

The Aspromavri, who reached the Conference League quarter-finals last season, now have their eyes set on reaching the Europa League proper for the first time since competing in the 2020-21 group stage.

Shamrock Rovers remain on course to qualify for the Europa League proper for just the second time in their history, after they beat Celje 3-2 on aggregate in the third qualifying round last week.

Despite losing the first leg 1-0 in Slovenia, the Hoops battled their way back into the contest and required extra time to win 3-1 in last Thursday's reverse fixture on home soil, with Graham Burke coming off the substitutes' bench to net the decisive goal six minutes into the additional 30.

Shamrock are now guaranteed European football this term as defeat to PAOK would still see them drop down into the Conference League; they have become the first Irish club to reach the main stage of any European competition on three occasions.

Head coach Stephen Bradley was thrilled to get one over Celje's "arrogant" manager Albert Riera - formerly of Liverpool in his playing days - and believes that Shamrock's "special" success will only benefit the League of Ireland Premier Division.

Shamrock currently sit fifth in the Irish top-flight standings and 10 points behind the summit with a game in hand on leaders Shelbourne, but they were not in domestic action last weekend and have instead had a full week to rest and prepare for Thursday's encounter with PAOK.

PAOK form (all competitions):

W

W

W

D

L

W

Shamrock Rovers Europa League form:

L

W

Shamrock Rovers form (all competitions):

L

L

W

L

D

W

Team News

PAOK currently have a clean bill of health with Jonny Otto, Baba Rahman and Taison all returning to training this week after spells on the sidelines through injury.

However, the hosts will be without highly-rated centre-back Konstantinos Koulierakis - who is surprisingly the club's top scorer so far this term with three goals in five games - as he has agreed to join Bundesliga side Wolfsburg.

Ivan Nasberg could therefore start alongside Tomasz Kedziora in the heart of defence, while the likes of Schwab, Andrija Zivkovic and Giannis Konstantelias are also expected to be named in the first XI.

As for Shamrock, Johnny Kenny and Rory Gaffney are both making progress in their recovery from injury, but they will not be involved on Thursday - the latter is set to return to the first-team fold next week.

Bradley has confirmed that striker Aaron Greene and defender Roberto Lopes are both nursing knocks, so they will be assessed ahead of kickoff.

Burke became Shamrock's record goalscorer in Europe (eight) when he netted the decisive strike against Celje last week, and the 30-year-old is in contention to start on Thursday, while Danny Mandroiu - who has re-joined the club on a short-term deal - could also feature in some capacity.

PAOK possible starting lineup:

Kotarski; Sastre, Kedziora, Nasberg, Baba; Ozdoev, Schwab; Zivkovic, Konstantelias, Taison; Brandon

Shamrock Rovers possible starting lineup:

Pohls; Cleary, Lopes, Hoare; Honohan, Watts, O'Neill, Clarke; Nugent, Farrugia; Greene

We say: PAOK 2-1 Shamrock Rovers

Shamrock will travel to Greece in buoyant mood and Bradley will have faith in his side claiming at least a share of the spoils on Thursday. However, they may find it difficult to keep PAOK quiet in front of goal - they have already scored 12 goals in five competitive games this term - and with that in mind, we can see the hosts coming out on top.

Previews by email
Show more

Top News

2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Eredivisie giants PSV Eindhoven and Premier League powerhouses Arsenal both have some recent wrongs to right in Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg at the Philips Stadion. 2 March 2025 talksport.com talkSPORT has you covered for all the latest news as the FA Cup takes centre stage this weekend. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will have Myles Lewis-Skelly back at his disposal for Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg away to PSV Eindhoven. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk PSV Eindhoven new boy Lucas Perez will be denied a reunion with former club Arsenal when his side welcome the Gunners to the Philips Stadion for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Clashing in European competition for the third year running, Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven and Premier League powerhouses Arsenal meet at the Philips Stadion on Tuesday for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie. 2 March 2025 talksport.com Wigan have sacked manager Shaun Maloney just hours after their defeat to Reading on Saturday. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will welcome Atletico Madrid to Bernabeu on Tuesday night for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Atletico Madrid attacker Julian Alvarez can close in on a Rojiblancos record when his side face fierce rivals Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash at the Bernabeu on Tuesday. 2 March 2025 talksport.com Dele Alli was named in the Como matchday squad for the first time this weekend. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham remains on the naughty step for Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg with Madrid derby rivals Atletico Madrid at the Bernabeu. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Inter Milan are reportedly considering making a move for Manchester United attacker Mason Mount during this summer's transfer window. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Flashpoints and flair are to be expected in the pick of the Champions League last-16 ties, as bitterest foes Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid meet at the Bernabeu in Tuesday's first leg. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United Under-18s head coach Adam Lawrence has said that the Red Devils are "really excited" about the development of Jaydan Kamason, who could soon be handed a first-team opportunity at the club. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Meeting for a second time in this season's Champions League, Club Brugge and Aston Villa will clash at Jan Breydelstadion on Tuesday evening, in the first leg of their last-16 tie. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has said that summer departures at Old Trafford are inevitable, with the Red Devils expected to make sweeping changes in order to be able to boost their squad for the 2025-26 campaign. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arguably now Mikel Arteta's best shot at bringing silverware to the Arsenal faithful this season, the Gunners return to a Champions League setting on Tuesday evening, facing PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of their last-16 clash. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk All transfer business is done and dusted for this season, but that doesn't stop clubs from preparing ahead for next season. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Vancouver vs. LA Galaxy (Sunday, 10.00pm) The Vancouver Whitecaps can win their first two matches of a Major League Soccer campaign for the first time since 2018 when they host the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday at BC Place Stadium. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Caykur Rizespor vs. Alanyaspor (Sunday, 10.30am) As both sides look to define their season in the Turkish Super Lig, Caykur Rizespor are set to host Alanyaspor at the Caykur Didi Stadyumu on Sunday. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Heerenveen vs. AZ (Sunday, 11.15am) Aiming to make it four straight league victories and crack the top three of the Eredivisie table, AZ Alkmaar will travel to the Abe Lenstra Stadion to take on Heerenveen on Sunday. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Leganes vs. Getafe (Sunday, 1.00pm) Getafe will be bidding to return to winning ways in Spain's top flight when they head to Leganes on Sunday afternoon. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Monza vs. Torino (Sunday, 11.30am) Serie A's bottom club Monza will try to spark an unlikely escape from relegation on Sunday, when they face mid-table Torino. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Union Berlin vs. Holstein Kiel (Sunday, 2.30pm) Holstein Kiel must start picking up points to avoid relegation from the Bundesliga, beginning on Sunday away from home against Union Berlin at Stadion An der Alten Forsterei. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Lyon vs. Brest (Sunday, 2.00pm) Lyon will be aiming to return to winning ways when they welcome a struggling Brest side for round 24 of Ligue 1 this Sunday. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Hibernian vs. Hearts (Sunday, 12.30pm) Two sides looking to strengthen their places in the top six of the Scottish Premiership will come together on Sunday afternoon as Hibernian host Hearts at the Easter Road Stadium. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Newcastle vs. Brighton (Sunday, 1.45pm) Continuing their pursuit of a domestic cup double, Newcastle United take on Brighton & Hove Albion in Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final showdown at St James' Park. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has reportedly set his sight on playing at the 2026 World Cup and is ready to accept a reduced role with the Citizens next season in order to secure his place with Belgium at the tournament. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly monitored Georgian wonderkid Saba Kharebashvili amidst interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Wilfried Zaha has wasted no time adjusting to life in MLS with Charlotte FC. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk In a clash that could impact the race for European football and the relegation battle in the Turkish Super Lig, Istanbul Basaksehir are set to host Sivasspor at Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium on Monday.