Europe - Europa League
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by Kennedy Kechula in Europa League Predictions
FC Steaua Bucharest and PAOK will renew their Europa League rivalry when they meet for the third time this season on Thursday. The two sides will face off in the knockout phase play-off return leg, hosted by FCSB at Arena Nationala in Bucharest. Below is our preview for the match, accompanied with the key stats as well as two predictions.
Steaua Bucharest were locked out of the last 16 merely by goal difference in the league phase and they have to go the long way. On the flipside, PAOK only qualified for this stage via a superior goal difference on the lower end of the league standings. In the first two meetings between these teams, both played away in Greece, FCSB emerged winners.
The most recent of them was in the first leg of this tie, in which FCSB came from behind to win 2-1. Now they have the opportunity to play in the Europa League round of 16 for the first time since the 2012/13 season. The winner here will meet either Lyon or Eintracht Frankfurt.
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The Best Betting Odds for Fotbal Club Fcsb v PAOK Thessaloniki Match
| Bookmaker | 1 | X | 2 | Bonus up to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.7 | 3.25 | 2.63 |
|
|
2.75 | 3.25 | 2.63 |
|
|
2.62 | 3.2 | 2.7 |
|
|
2.76 | 3.33 | 2.71 |
|
|
2.76 | 3.33 | 2.71 |
|
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What is the prediction for the football match between Fotbal Club Fcsb and PAOK Thessaloniki?
Our prediction for the Fotbal Club Fcsb vs PAOK Thessaloniki match is: Fotbal Club Fcsb wins the match.
Probabilities according to our algorithm* of possible 1X2 football predictions and best odds for the match on 20/02/2025 between Fotbal Club Fcsb and PAOK Thessaloniki in Europa League :
- The Sportytrader ⭐ algorithm estimates a probability of 48.66% for a win of Fotbal Club Fcsb against PAOK Thessaloniki with odds of 2.8 at Betsson.
- The probability according to Sportytrader ⭐ for a draw between Fotbal Club Fcsb vs PAOK Thessaloniki is 22.43% with odds of 3.33 at 1xbet.
- Our prediction model gives a 28.91% chance ⭐ for a win of PAOK Thessaloniki vs Fotbal Club Fcsb with odds of 2.86 at Vbet.
Fotbal Club Fcsb - PAOK Thessaloniki Prediction and Best Odds:
| Fotbal Club Fcsb PAOK Thessaloniki Prediction | Probability | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Fotbal Club Fcsb wins | 48.66% | 2.8 at Betsson |
| Under 2.5 | 58.41% | 1.97 at Unibet |
| Both Team To Score | 37.5% | |
| Half-time: Draw / Full-time: Fotbal Club Fcsb | 20.53% | 6.5 at Betfair |
Fotbal Club Fcsb vs PAOK Thessaloniki Form
Fotbal Club Fcsb and PAOK Thessaloniki Last Matches
3/6 (50%)
2/6 (33%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
16 Feb 2025 - Superliga
13 Feb 2025 - Europa League
9 Feb 2025 - Superliga
6 Feb 2025 - Superliga
2 Feb 2025 - Superliga
30 Jan 2025 - Europa League
2/6 (33%)
2/6 (33%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
9 Feb 2025 - Superliga
2 Feb 2025 - Superliga
30 Jan 2025 - Europa League
17 Jan 2025 - Superliga
10 Jan 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
18 Dec 2024 - Romania Cup
5/6 (83%)
1/6 (17%)
0/6 (0%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
16 Feb 2025 - Superliga
13 Feb 2025 - Europa League
6 Feb 2025 - Superliga
26 Jan 2025 - Superliga
23 Jan 2025 - Europa League
23 Dec 2024 - Superliga
3/6 (50%)
0/6 (0%)
3/6 (50%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
16 Feb 2025 - Superleague
13 Feb 2025 - Europa League
8 Feb 2025 - Superleague
2 Feb 2025 - Superleague
30 Jan 2025 - Europa League
26 Jan 2025 - Superleague
3/6 (50%)
0/6 (0%)
3/6 (50%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
16 Feb 2025 - Superleague
13 Feb 2025 - Europa League
2 Feb 2025 - Superleague
26 Jan 2025 - Superleague
23 Jan 2025 - Europa League
12 Jan 2025 - Superleague
2/6 (33%)
1/6 (17%)
3/6 (50%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
8 Feb 2025 - Superleague
30 Jan 2025 - Europa League
19 Jan 2025 - Superleague
5 Jan 2025 - Superleague
18 Dec 2024 - Greece Cup
15 Dec 2024 - Superleague
Fotbal Club Fcsb vs PAOK Thessaloniki Stats: Head to Head (H2H)
100 %
0 %
0 %
Average stats (last H2H results)
13 Feb 2025 - Europa League
3 Oct 2024 - Europa League
Fotbal Club Fcsb - PAOK Thessaloniki: Form Analysis
FCSB rose from a goal down to beat PAOK for the second time in the Europa League this season when they met in the opening leg. Before their first meeting in the league phase, these teams had never faced off competitively.
Goals from Andrei Gheorghita and Joyskim Dawa handed FCSB the advantage from the first leg after Mbwana Samatta had given PAOK the lead.
FCSB’s 2-1 win was heavily aided by numerical advantage after PAOK had Taison sent off right before breaking for half time. The hosts only lost once in the last six Europa League matches.
In the last two home matches in the competition, though, they failed to score.
Both meetings between PAOK and FCSB saw a red card issued.
Recent weeks haven't been great for PAOK, who travel to Romania for this game off the back of three defeats in their last five matches. They did have some semblance of recovery in their last game, banishing memories of their loss against FCSB with a 7-0 win at home to Lamia.
Mbwana Samatta scored the opening goal for the third straight game and his fourth in the three matches. The Greek side will look at his form for inspiration, seeking to rise from back-to-back Europa League defeats.
They’ve, however, managed just a win in the last four away matches in this competition.
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Fotbal Club Fcsb against PAOK Thessaloniki Lineups: Starting 11
Formation : 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Formation : 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Fotbal Club Fcsb & PAOK Thessaloniki Squad Analysis
When these teams met for the very first time, in the league phase, it was George Daniel Birligea’s lone goal that separated them. That was his only away goal in the Europa League this season.
He has three in Europe, and in total 13 across all competitions. The Romanian forward will seek to extend his season’s tally here, having struggled in the Europa League.
In the eight matches he featured in in this competition, the attacker has no assists while he has an expected goals return of 2.59. There’s definitely room for improvement.
The last time FCSB played at home, he scored twice and that could be a perfect prep for this game.
PAOK’s Taison Barcellos is suspended for this game.
On the PAOK side, there will be a lot of hopes pinned on Tanzanian forward Mbwana Samatta. The former Aston Villa forward was just recently restored to the first team and it is paying off.
He has hit a purple patch, scoring all his four goals this season and an assist in the last three matches. Samatta netted the opening goal as these teams faced off in the first leg.
For the third straight game, ahead of this encounter, Samatta scored the first goal and he will be confident of adding on to his tally. Though he hasn’t played a lot this season, his recent form should convince Rzvan Lucescu to hand him a start.
Needing goals, Lucescu may also throw in Kiril Despodov, who has two Europa League goals and three assists.
Most goals and assists
Fotbal Club Fcsb
PAOK Thessaloniki
D. Birligea
(16 Goals)
A. Zivkovic
(7 Goals)
, 
G. Konstantelias
(7 Goals)
, 
K. Despodov
(7 Goals)
F. Tanase
(3 Assists)
K. Despodov
(7 Assists)
Fotbal Club Fcsb - PAOK Thessaloniki Key Points
- FCSB lost just once in their last 10 matches.
- FCSB won each of their last three matches.
- PAOK suffered defeat in three of their last five matches.
- Eight times in 11 away Europa League matches, PAOK lost.
- In their last five Europa League home matches, FCSB won three.
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Our Fotbal Club Fcsb vs PAOK Thessaloniki Prediction
PAOK are facing Romanian opposition for the sixth time. In the previous five, they lost four and won once. After losing twice at home to Steaua Bucharest, their confidence must have taken a hit.
FCSB carry into this game a strong run, especially at home, winning three times in the last five matches. They will come into this game feeling as favorites, and having lost just once in 10 games, their confidence levels will definitely be high. Our prediction for Fotbal Club Fcsb v PAOK Thessaloniki is that Fotbal Club Fcsb wins the match.
Fotbal Club Fcsb vs PAOK Thessaloniki - Other Interesting Predictions
Both teams to score
FCSB have posted just one clean sheet in the last six home matches. That came in their latest match in the domestic league. In Europa League action they have no clean sheet in three, with both teams scoring in two.
PAOK, on their part, failed to score once in their last five Europa League matches. As they seek to overturn their deficit, we will back them to score here too. Our second prediction will be for both teams to score.
Last Minute: Pre-match odds analysis Fotbal Club Fcsb PAOK Thessaloniki
| Fotbal Club Fcsb vs PAOK Thessaloniki | Opening odds | Pre-match odds | Odds Movements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fotbal Club Fcsb wins | 2.4 | 2.7 | +12.5% |
| Draw | 3.5 | 3.25 | -7.1% |
| PAOK Thessaloniki wins | 2.75 | 2.63 | -4.4% |
After kick-off, the latest odds movements show that:
- Fotbal Club Fcsb is most likely to win
- The odds for this bet have increased by 12.5% since opening
- The probability of this result was 41.7% and is now 37.0% (-4.6%)
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Fotbal Club Fcsb vs PAOK Thessaloniki match : Frequently asked questions
The FCSB v PAOK match is scheduled for Thursday 20th February.
The FCSB v PAOK match will be played at the Arena Nationala in Bucharest.
The FCSB v PAOK match will be aired live on DIGI and Clever Media for Romanian audiences. For those following from Greece, Antenna TV and Cosmote TV will air the match. On SportyTrader, through the Europa League livescores portal, you will be able to follow the match updates.
All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
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