PAOK vs Brann: Which team will come out on top in this six-pointer?
On Thursday, 27 November, we’ll witness the UEFA Europa League Matchday 5 clash between PAOK and Brann. The game kicks off at 18:45 CET, and I’ve got a betting pick for this one.
PAOK vs Brann: Match facts and H2H
- Across their last ten matches, PAOK have won eight and lost two.
- Brann are winless in five straight fixtures: two draws and three defeats.
- PAOK’s scoring streak now spans 11 matches.
- This season, PAOK have not lost a single home game.
- Brann have won only one of their last six away fixtures.
- PAOK have kept a clean sheet in 43% of their matches this season, compared to Brann’s 23%.
- PAOK have lost just 5% of their matches without scoring, while Brann have lost 16% this way.
- In 24% of their matches this season, PAOK have scored in both halves; Brann have done so in 35%.
- These two sides have never met before. This will be their first head-to-head encounter.
PAOK vs Brann: Match preview
PAOK and Brann sit side by side in the table as they fight for a top-eight finish and a direct berth in the round of 16. Level on points, this fixture shapes up as a true six-pointer.
PAOK drew with Maccabi Tel Aviv on Matchday 1 of the League Stage, then fell 1–3 to Celta Vigo. However, the Greek side have flipped the script in their last two outings. First, they outgunned Lille 4–3, then in the fourth round demolished Young Boys 4–0. Seven points, a 9–6 goal difference, and a current spot in tenth place.
Brann also have seven points and sit 11th, trailing PAOK only on secondary metrics. The Norwegians lost 1–2 to Lille in their opener, but bounced back with a 1–0 win over Utrecht, a commanding 3–0 victory over Rangers, and a goalless draw with Bologna last time out. Their goal difference stands at 5–2 — identical defensively but with fewer goals scored. Right now, PAOK are the more prolific side.
Probable line-ups
- PAOK: Tsiftsis; Kenny, Kedziora, Michailidis, Baba; Bianco, Meite; Zivkovic, Ozdoev, Taison; Giakoumakis
- Brann: Dyngeland; De Roeve, Helland, Larsen, Dragsnes; Kornvig, Sorensen, Gudmundsson; Mathisen, Holm, Finne
Prediction
Brann have shown they can compete and won’t make life easy for PAOK, but I still see the hosts as the more likely winners. My pick is a home victory in this match.
