Hearts vs PAOK Thessaloniki predictions ahead of this tie in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night. Can PAOK get a positive result in Scotland or will the host make the most of the home advantage? Read on for our free betting tips and predictions.
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Match Live Thursday, 24th August at 7:45 pm In:
Hearts vs PAOK Thessaloniki Predictions
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Battle of Resilience vs Experience in the Europa Conference League
Key Stats
– PAOK have drawn 0-0 in their opening Europa Conference matches in the last two rounds.
– Lawrence Shankland is in top form, with significant contributions in recent matches for Hearts.
In their previous Europa Conference League bout against Rosenborg, Hearts painted a portrait of resilience. Trailing 2-1 after their away game in Norway and being behind in the early stages at Edinburgh, it seemed like a steep hill for Hearts to climb. However, not only did they climb it, they surged past with a dominant 3-1 victory. This electrifying performance put to bed any concerns over the team’s leadership, with Steven Naismith and Frankie McAvoy seemingly at the helm in a shared capacity.
Their recent conquest over Championship contenders, Partick Thistle, in the Viaplay Cup, further underscored their capability to tackle tough challenges head-on.
PAOK: A Blend of Experience and Skill
However, Razvan Lucescu’s PAOK is not a challenge Hearts can take lightly. The Thessaloniki side has consistently demonstrated their mettle, with a recent dominant 4-1 victory against Beitar Jerusalem, after having drawn the first leg. Their persistence was again on display when they pulled apart Hadjuk Split at home, post a goalless first-leg draw.
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Anchored by their Portuguese backbone, PAOK’s recent quarter-final appearance in this very competition adds to their credentials.
The Betting Arena
With four Scottish sides in action this week, Hearts find themselves not being the bookmakers’ favourite, either for a win or to progress. Odds peg PAOK at 31/20 (betvictor), whilst Hearts come in at 9/5. A deadlock stands at 23/10 with William Hill.
Spotlight Players
Lawrence Shankland, continuing his fiery form from the last season, is an integral asset for Hearts. With his exceptional opener against Rosenborg, he is pitched at 7/4 (betvictor) to score. On the other side, the Serbian playmaker Andrija Zivkovic, following successive braces in his recent games, is poised at 5/1 to find the net, particularly as he operates closely with the main striker.
Analytical Predictions
- Match Outcome: Draw No Bet on Hearts Given PAOK’s recent first-leg performances, where they’ve secured 0-0 results, combined with Hearts’ impressive goal tally at home recently, the hosts seem well-poised to score. PAOK may approach this game conservatively, aiming to capitalise on the return leg. Hence, a ‘Draw No Bet’ on Hearts seems a worthy prediction.
- Correct Score: 1-1 Reflecting on PAOK’s defensive approach in the previous first legs and Hearts’ strong attacking form, a 1-1 draw seems probable. PAOK possesses the quality to score, but Hearts have also showcased their knack for finding the net, making this a plausible scoreline.
- Goalscorer Prediction: Lawrence Shankland Given Shankland’s recent form, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him get on the scoresheet. With a recent stunning goal against Rosenborg and being among the top scorers for Hearts, Shankland seems ripe for a goal in this crucial tie.
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