Preview: Aberdeen vs. PAOK - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors are currently top of Group G after winning their opening two matches, while they are undefeated in their past seven in all competitions.

Match preview

Aberdeen had a tough start to life in the Europa Conference League this season after suffering a defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt, but the Scottish club followed that up with a draw against HJK Helsinki.

The Dons came from behind to earn that point after Bojan Miovski scored an equaliser which has ensured that they are still very much in a position where they can progress out of the group.

Aberdeen are undefeated in all competitions since their defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt, with Barry Robson having brought the best out of his squad both in and out of the Scottish Premiership.

The Dons have actually been stronger away from home in the league, but the team will need to try and change that in Europe to try and make Pittodrie Stadium a fortress.

However, one thing Aberdeen will be wary of is a potential lack of match sharpness after not playing as a team since before the recent international break due to their game against Dundee being postponed this past weekend.

That is something the visitors will look to exploit, especially since they picked up a dominant 2-0 league victory following a Magomed Ozdoyev brace.

That extended their undefeated run in all competitions to seven games, which has provided plenty of confidence for the squad which has been clear throughout their Europa Conference League performances.

PAOK have won both of their matches in Group G, even though those games were both frantic, with Brandon scoring in the 94th minute to gain them a 3-2 win against HJK Helsinki on the opening day.

That was followed by a 2-1 win against Eintracht Frankfurt, where once again they left things until late as Konstantinos Koulierakis scored a 92nd-minute winner in a game that saw both teams end with 10 men.

With a three-point gap at the top of the group right now PAOK will be attempting to maintain or extend that this week as they head into the second half of the group stage.

Aberdeen Europa Conference League form:

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Aberdeen form (all competitions):

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PAOK Europa Conference League form:

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W

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PAOK form (all competitions):

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D

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Team News

While Aberdeen might be lacking in match sharpness, the team is well rested which provides plenty of options for Robson to choose from for Thursday night.

Miovski is expected to be leading the line after scoring six goals in all competitions to this point in the season, including two in this competition.

The visitors will be without Soualiho Meite on Thursday after he was sent off in the 96th minute of their most recent Europa Conference League outing, which will see a change in the middle of the park.

Meanwhile PAOK are also missing Marcos Antonio and Filipe Soares at the moment due to injuries, which is something the club will need to adapt to.

Aberdeen possible starting lineup:

Roos; Devlin, Gartenmann, Rubezic, Jensen, MacKenzie; Shinnie, Clarkson, McGrath; Miovski, Duk

PAOK possible starting lineup:

Kotarski; Kedziora, Troost-Ekong, Koulierakis, Baba; Schwab, Tsingaras; Zivkovic, Murg, Despodov; Brandon

We say: Aberdeen 1-2 PAOK

Aberdeen will be sure to make life difficult in this fixture, and will create a strong performance as they aim to win their first Europa Conference League group match.

However, PAOK have been strong so far in the competition, and they might end up having too much quality in this one.

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