PAOK v Shamrock Rovers Prediction, Tips & Preview – Europa League

We have a Shamrock Rovers v PAOK prediction for you plus a breakdown of the odds and matchups ahead of this Europa League qualifier.

PAOK are no strangers to the perils of European Competition and head into this tie as comfortable favourites to overcome the Irish Champions Shamrock Rovers.

Shamrock Rovers may have performed below their level in the league so far this season. However, they secured a big 3-1 win over Celje at home in the second leg of their Europa League qualifier to overcome the odds and qualify for this playoff round 3-2 on aggregate.

How To Watch PAOK v Shamrock Rovers

When is PAOK v Shamrock Rovers?

PAOK v Shamrock Rovers will take place Thursday, August 22nd at 6.30 pm

TV Channel & Live Stream

This game will not be televised in Ireland but you will be able to stream the action on LOITV.

Where is PAOK v Shamrock Rovers Being Played?

This game will be played in Stadio Toumbas, Thessaloniki, Greece.

PAOK v Shamrock Rovers Odds

PAOK are comfortable favourites at 2/13 to make home advantage count in the first leg. Shamrock Rovers are big outsiders at odds of 16/1 while the draw is seen as a 13/2 chance.

Handicap Betting

PAOK: -2 @ 6/5

Shamrock Rovers: +2 @ 6/4

Handicap Draw: -2 @ 3/1

PAOK v Shamrock Rovers Preview

PAOK’s Form

PAOK had a strong 23/24 season where they reached the Quarter Finals of the Europa Conference League, finished as Greek Cup Semi-Finalists and were Greek Super League winners coming 2 points clear of AEK Athens which qualified them initially for this season's Champions League.

PAOK overcame Bosnian side Borac Banja Luka in the second qualifying round 2-4 which booked their place in the third qualifying round. However, following a promising 2-2 away first-leg draw against Malmo they came unstuck in extra time losing 3-4 on aggregate meaning they dropped down to Europa League qualifying. They kicked off their Super League defence last weekend with a 3-2 win over Panserraikos F.C.

They have a strong squad including the likes of Ghanaian International Left wing-back Baba Rahman who has previously been contracted to Chelsea, attacking midfielder Shola Shoretire who signed this summer on a free transfer from Man United and attacking stars Chalov and Živković. All these footballers and more would make them quite the scalp for Shamrock Rovers if they can defeat them.

PAOK’s Last Five Results

PAOK’ 3-2 Panserraikos | August 17th| Win

PAOK 3-4 Malmö (Aggregate 5-6) | August 13th | Loss

Malmö 2-2 PAOK | August 6th | Draw

Borac Banja Luka 0-1 PAOK | July 31st | Win

PAOK 3-2 Borac Banja Luka | July 24th | Win

3 Wins, 1 Draw and 1 Loss

Shamrock Rovers’ Form

Shamrock Rovers have dominated Irish Football since their 2020 Premier Division victory winning 4 titles in a row. However, despite their domestic domination, they have been inconsistent in the league this year with their 38-point tally only good enough for 5th in the league with 11 games remaining they have a 10-point gap to overcome on Shelbourne or they will relinquish their title.

They commenced their European journey against Vikingur Reykjavik last month with a 0-0 first-leg away draw. They followed that up with a 2-1 home victory at Tallaght Stadium to reach the next stage of Champions League qualification. However, they came unstuck to Sparta Prague losing 0-2 and 4-2 to drop into Europa League qualification. Finally, to reach this playoff round, they overcame a 1-0 first-leg defeat against Celje with a 3-1 win to secure Europa Conference League Football at a minimum this season.

Shamrock Rovers’ despite their domestic struggles have the most talented squad in the country with the likes of Farrugia, Burke and Byrne all to choose from alongside several talented youth players. However, the recent short-term return of Daniel Mandriou to the club could be just the tonic they need ahead of their next European journey albeit in a position they are now arguably overloaded in.

Shamrock Rovers’ Last Five Results

Shamrock Rovers 3-1 Celje | August 15th | Win

Shamrock Rovers 1-1 Drogheda | August 11th | Draw

Celje 1-0 Shamrock Rovers| August 8th| Loss

Waterford 1-2 Shamrock Rovers | August 2nd | Win

Sparta Prague 4-2 Shamrock Rovers | July 30th | Loss

2 Wins, 2 Losses and 1 Draw

PAOK v Shamrock Rovers Predicted Lineups

PAOK’s Predicted Starting XI (4-2-3-1)

GK: Kotarski

RB: Sastre, CB: Kedziora,CB: Koulierakis, LB: Rahman

CM: Camara, CM: Ozdoyev

RW: Zivkovic, AM: Konstantelias, LW: Taison

CF: Chalov

Shamrock Rovers’ Predicted Starting XI (3-5-2)

GK: Pohls

CB: Hoare, CB: Lopes, CB: Grace

RM: Honohan, CM: Farrugia, CM: Watts, CM: O’Neill, LM: Clarke

CF: Kenny, CF: Greene

Shamrock Rovers v PAOK Head-To-Head Results & Stats

All-Time Head-To-Head Record

PAOK wins: 2

Shamrock Rovers wins: 0

Draws: 0

Head-To-Head Results

Shamrock Rovers 1-3 PAOK | Europa League | November 3rd, 2011

PAOK 2-1 Shamrock Rovers | Europa League | October 20th, 2011

Key Players To Watch

Neil Farrugia – Shamrock Rovers

Farrugia (25) is one of the most technically gifted footballers piling their football in Ireland and had it not been for his unfortunate injury record he would certainly be playing elsewhere now. Nevertheless, that comes to the benefit of Shamrock Rovers the versatile footballer capable of playing anywhere down the flank or even more centrally has pace to burn, brilliant crossing and strong dribbling ability providing Rovers with a real threat.

Andrija Zivkovic – PAOK

The Serbian International (28) will be the main man that the Shamrock Rovers defenders will have to stop on Thursday following the prolific winger's total of 19 goals and 14 assists from 49 games in all club games last season. However, even if not attacking he will provide strong defensive protection on the wings for PAOK.

PAOK v Shamrock Rovers Prediction & Best Bet

Prediction: PAOK 2-0 Shamrock Rovers

PAOK are comfortable favourites ahead of the first leg of this tie and that’s no surprise with multiple international footballers at their disposal and far greater financial resources when it comes to wages and transfer fees. They have also won 2 of their 2 games against Shamrock Rovers in 2011.

In a sense, Shamrock Rovers have little to lose and everything to gain ahead of their playoff tie due to them already having secured Europa Conference League football at a minimum for the next few months. Despite their talented squad though it will take a herculean effort to get a result in this game albeit not beyond the realms of possibility.

PAOK should be too good in the end for Rovers’, but I don’t expect them to embarrass the Irish champions by any stretch.

Best Bet: PAOK Win + Under 2.5 Goals @ 3/1

*Prices are subject to fluctuation.

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