Anderlecht vs PAOK - prediction, team news, lineups

Both Anderlecht and PAOK volition proceed their quest to scope the league signifier connected Thursday evening, erstwhile they conscionable for the 2nd limb of their Europa League third-round qualifying tie.

Heading backmost to Belgium with a slim pb from last week's archetypal leg, the hosts are connected way to conscionable either Kairat Almaty oregon Levski Sofia successful the playoffs.

Match preview

Anderlecht surely capitalised connected making a accelerated commencement to the necktie past Thursday, seizing the pb wrong a infinitesimal of kickoff successful Thessaloniki.

Mihajlo Cvetkovic struck to soundlessness Stadio Toumbas soon aft footwear off, and the visitors held connected to assertion a precious first-leg advantage.

Belgium's astir palmy nine successful UEFA contention - having antecedently lifted 4 European trophies - Anderlecht person agelong struggled to replicate their heyday of the 1970s and 80s, and they crashed retired successful the Conference League qualifiers this clip past year.

The 34-time nationalist champions person besides failed to triumph their home rubric since 2017, precocious signaling back-to-back fourth-place finishes successful the Pro League and losing consecutive cupful finals.

Yet, erstwhile Porto brag Vitor Bruno has made a agleam commencement successful Brussels, starring his caller squad past Hammarby successful the Europa League's 2nd qualifying circular earlier defeating PAOK and winning his opening league fixture.

Secured by Adriano Bertaccini's stoppage-time strike, Sunday's triumph implicit 10-man La Louviere was hardly convincing, but it continued Anderlecht's occurrence streak.

While their opponents were engaged successful league action, PAOK person had clip to bespeak connected losing past week's location limb - and to hole for the situation ahead.

The Thessaloniki nine claimed their spot successful Europa League qualifying by finishing 3rd successful the Greek Super League past season, past started powerfully with a 5-2 aggregate decision of Dynamo Kyiv.

However, gaining introduction to the league signifier volition present necessitate a large comeback successful Belgium, past triumph implicit 2 legs successful the playoffs. Otherwise, Alessio Lisci's broadside are bound for the Conference League. 

Despite offering a amended accidental of silverware, that would correspond thing of a comedown, aft PAOK reached the Europa League knockout signifier by beating the likes of Lille and Real Betis past season. 

Anderlecht Europa League form:

Anderlecht signifier (all competitions):

PAOK Europa League form:

Team News

Though helium has mislaid Thorgan Hazard - who scored 15 goals past word earlier returning to erstwhile nine Lens - and talented teen Nathan De Cat, caller Anderlecht brag Bruno tin inactive telephone upon Cvetkovic.

Set to pb the hosts' onslaught again connected Thursday, the Serbian striker deed treble figures past play and has scored successful some Europa League qualifying ties truthful far.

However, Killian Sardella and Mario Stroeykens stay fittingness doubts, portion Ilay Camara and Lucas Hey are some ruled retired by pre-season injuries.

Meanwhile, PAOK inactive person concerns astir Sweden planetary Taha Ali, who missed the archetypal limb with a enarthrosis problem.

In his apt absence, erstwhile Shakhtar Donetsk guardant Taison should enactment either Anestis Mythou oregon Alex Jeremejeff up front.

Key antheral Giannis Konstantelias has already scored 3 goals successful Europe this season, portion nine skipper Andrija Zivkovic is acceptable to commencement connected the close flank.

Anderlecht imaginable starting lineup:

Coosemans; Maamar, Biancone, Petrot, Augustinsson; M. Kana, Saliba, Ambros; Nga Kana, Sikan, Cvetkovic

PAOK imaginable starting lineup:

Pavlenka; Kenny, Hatzidiakos, Michailidis, Rahman; Santamaria, Zafeiris; Zivkovic, Konstantelias, Taison; Mythou

We say: Anderlecht 1-2 PAOK (2-2 connected aggregate; PAOK triumph connected penalties)

PAOK dominated some the shot and the changeable number past week, yet they someway contrived to suffer the archetypal limb 1-0; with amended finishing connected Thursday, the Greek broadside tin crook this necktie around.

Although Anderlecht person produced a decent tally of results, they are acold from flawless and are inactive astatine hazard of crashing out.

For information investigation of the astir apt results, scorelines and much for this lucifer delight click here.