Celta Vigo vs PAOK – News and Probable Lineups

Celta Vigo stands on the brink of advancing to the round of 16 as they host PAOK at Balaidos Stadium this Thursday evening for the decisive second leg of their Europa League playoff match.

With a narrow advantage from the first leg, PAOK faces an uphill battle to turn the tie around and move forward in the competition.

Match overview

This is a crucial moment for Celta Vigo, who will be eager to secure their progression on home soil after edging a tough 2-1 win in the first encounter.

The Sky Blues come into this match with positive momentum, having recorded two wins, two draws, and just a singular loss in their last five games across all competitions.

In their latest domestic clash, they secured a solid 2-0 victory over Mallorca, further maintaining their strong form.

Claudio Giraldez’s team accumulated 13 points in the Europa League league stage, with four wins, one draw, and three losses across eight fixtures, which was enough to advance to the knockout playoffs.

They have been particularly strong at Balaidos, winning three out of four European home matches, indicating their capacity to handle the high stakes of this important second leg.

The advantage gained from their first-leg win in Greece provides not only numerical support but also a mental advantage, having displayed their ability to navigate challenging moments on the road.

The team has shown enhanced organization under Giraldez, currently sitting sixth in La Liga, highlighting their improvement this season.

However, their performance in the Europa League has been somewhat erratic, managing two wins, one draw, and two defeats from their last five matches, warranting a degree of caution.

Conversely, PAOK arrives in Spain needing to perform better after a disappointing loss in the first leg on home turf.

The White-Blacks have faced struggles with consistency lately, managing only one victory in their past five matches across all competitions, complemented by three draws and one loss.

In their latest game, they played to a 1-1 draw against AE Larissa, which does little to instill confidence ahead of such a pivotal European clash.

In the league phase, PAOK gathered 12 points, concluding with three wins, three draws, and two defeats.

However, their away performance in Europe has raised concerns, securing just one victory from four encounters, alongside one draw and two losses, underlining their difficulties outside of Thessaloniki.

Razvan Lucescu confronts a considerable tactical challenge, particularly after witnessing his side struggle in the initial leg.

The Romanian head coach must strike a balance between urgent attacking play and solid defensive coverage, as PAOK needs to find the back of the net while also preventing further goals against.

Their recent form in the Europa League, which includes one win, two draws, and two defeats over the last five fixtures, points to a team lacking in consistency when it matters most.

The historical record between these sides favors Celta Vigo, who have come out on top in both of their prior meetings, adding another psychological edge for this crucial clash.

Team News

Celta Vigo may be without Alvaro Nunez, who is a doubt due to a groin issue, while Carl Starfelt is also dealing with a calf concern and could miss out.

Franco Cervi is sidelined with a muscle injury, and Hugo Sotelo is out due to an ankle problem, although he is anticipated to return in early March.

Pablo Duran is confirmed to be absent for the hosts, ruled out because of a knee injury.

In goal, Ivan Radu is expected to start, with Joseph Aidoo and Marcos Alonso forming the center-back pairing.

Oscar Mingueza and Ilaix Moriba are likely to play in the midfield, while Iago Aspas is set to lead the attack alongside Borja Iglesias and Williot Swedberg.

PAOK, on the other hand, will miss Andrija Zivkovic, who is suspended following three yellow cards.

Dejan Lovren is out due to a medial collateral ligament injury, while Dimitrios Pelkas is also unavailable following a knock.

Goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka is dealing with a chest injury, and Kiril Despodov is sidelined with a muscle issue.

Luka Ivanusec and Soualiho Meite are also expected to be absent due to muscle and thigh injuries, respectively.

Antonis Tsiftsis is set to start in goal, with Tomasz Kedziora and Giannis Michailidis in central defense.

Giorgos Giakoumakis is anticipated to lead the line as PAOK seeks the goals necessary to overturn the deficit.

Celta Vigo probable starting XI:

Radu; Carreira, Aidoo, Alonso, Rodriguez; Mingueza, Roman Gonzalez, Moriba; Aspas, Iglesias, Swedberg

PAOK probable starting XI:

Tsiftsis; Taylor, Kedziora, Michailidis, Kenny; Ozdoyev, Camara; Taison, Zafeiris, Chatsidis; Giakoumakis

With an advantage from the first leg, solid form at home, and better consistency, Celta Vigo is in a favorable position to conclude this tie.

PAOK’s difficulties on the road and lack of sharpness in recent outings may be detrimental, and the home side should possess sufficient quality to claim victory and move on to the next round.