PAOK vs Dynamo Kyiv – News and Probable Lineups

PAOK is set to aim for a spot in the next round of Europa League qualifying as they host Dynamo Kiev at the Toumba Stadium this Thursday.

The home side approaches the second leg with a significant edge, having taken the first leg of this second round qualifying tie with a scoreline of 3-2.

Match overview

PAOK aspires to qualify for the Europa League for the 10th time in their history, after having reached the knockout phase playoffs last season.

Dikefalos finished third in the Greek Super League last season and are entering a new phase this season, as Alessio Lisci has taken over managerial duties from Razvan Lucescu.

Lisci’s debut competitive match was against Dynamo Kiev in the first leg, where his side came from behind to secure a 3-2 victory, featuring goals from Giannis Konstantelias, Christos Zafeiris, and Baptiste Santamaria.

The Italian manager will be eager to build on this positive result in the second leg, buoyed by the fact that PAOK did not lose at home in the league last season, achieving 12 wins and four draws across 16 matches.

On the other hand, Dynamo Kiev aims to qualify for the Europa League for the 11th time in their history.

Last season, they participated in the Conference League for the first time but were eliminated during the group stages, finishing with two victories and four losses.

Igor Kostyuk’s team already managed to defeat Cluj in the first round of Europa League qualifying and will be looking to rebound from their defeat to PAOK in the first leg.

With only a one-goal deficit to recover, Volodymyr Brazhko and Justin Lonwijk were on target last week.

Team News

PAOK will need to implement at least one change following Taha Ali’s injury in the first leg, as Taison is anticipated to take his place in the starting XI.

Midfielders Konstantelias, Zafeiris, and Santamaria are all expected to retain their spots after scoring last week.

Dynamo Kiev might consider including Lonwijk in their lineup after he netted off the bench in the first leg, with Mykola Shaparenko likely to step aside.

Matviy Ponomarenko is set to continue leading the attack, supported by Nazar Voloshyn and Eduardo Guerrero on the flanks.

PAOK probable starting XI:

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

Dynamo Kiev probable starting XI:

Neshcheret; Kedziora, Bilovar, Mykavko, Dubinchak; Pikhalyonok, Brazhko, Lonwijk; Voloshyn, Ponomarenko, Guerrero

Given PAOK’s impressive home record last season, and their current aggregate lead, we are leaning toward them securing a win on Thursday.