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

PAOK will host Granada in the Europa League on Thursday evening, with the Greek side failing to qualify for the knockout stages as they currently sit third in Group E.

Granada, on the other hand, have endured a superb run in the competition - picking up three wins out of five thus far, confirming their spot in the round of 32 last week.

Match preview

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PAOK will be hugely disappointed with their efforts in the Europa League this term, having failed to make it past the group stage during the 2020-21 campaign.

Their latest European result witnessed a shocking 2-1 loss to debutants Omonia, with Jordi Gomez netting a late winner from the penalty spot.

However, their domestic form this season has been better, with Pablo Garcia 's men occupying second place in the league, just one point behind Olympiacos - yet the leaders currently have a game in hand.

If PAOK claim a victory against Granada on Thursday, they will manage to secure consecutive home wins in the Europa League for the first time since 2013.

In fact, PAOK have never lost a home match against Spanish opposition during their time in the competition, keeping two clean sheets in the process.

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Meanwhile, Granada will be hoping to confirm top spot in their group when they travel to Greece this week, with Diego Martinez 's men just one point ahead of PSV.

However, they will need to bounce back from their 1-0 defeat against the Dutch side, with PSV's Donyell Malen netting the only goal in their narrow victory last week.

Nevertheless, Martinez will be proud of his team's success in the competition, having managed to qualify for the knockout stages of the Europa League for the first time in their history.

Despite starting well in La Liga this season, they have experienced a dip in form recently, failing to pick up a win in their previous five league games.

However, they will need to focus their attention back to Europa League on Thursday, with their away form looking particularly impressive in the competition - winning both of their away games in the group stage, as well as both of their away qualifying matches.

The goalless draw between Granada and PAOK in matchday two of this season's competition was the only previous meeting between the two sides.

PAOK Europa League form: LLWDD

PAOK form (all competitions): WLWLWW

Granada Europa League form: LWWDW

Granada form (all competitions): DLLWLL

Team News

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PAOK supporters will be pleased to know that they have no injury concerns heading into this match, with Garcia able to pick from a fully fit squad.

However, after their disappointing 2-1 defeat against Omonia, the Uruguayan could make a few changes to the side that started in their last European game.

That being said, the Greek side have nothing to play for in their final group game, therefore the PAOK coach is expected to rest some key players, including Christos Tzolis and Karol Swiderski.

For Granada, they have a set of injury problems ahead of Thursday, with Fede Vico and Angel Montoro expected to miss the upcoming game.

Both Victor Diaz and Neyder Lozano are also sidelined, with Ramon Azeez a doubt for Thursday's game.

PAOK possible starting lineup:

Z Zivkovic; Wague, Varela, Crespo, Giannoulis; Schwab, Tsiggaras, El Kaddouri; Murg, Colak, A Zivkovic

Granada possible starting lineup:

Silva; Vallejo, Sanchez, Duarte, Neva; Gonalons; Soro, Herrera, Milla, Machis; Soldado

We say: PAOK 0-1 Granada

Granada should have enough quality to win their game against PAOK, despite their disappointing domestic form in recent times. The visitors, meanwhile, are expected to field a weak side on Thursday, having failed to qualify for the knockout stages.

Top betting tip

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