PAOK Thessaloniki vs Besiktas Istanbul Prediction & Betting Tips - Champions League

Prediction published on 23/08/2020, 02:01  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 23/08/2020 at 02:06 in Champions League Predictions

Greek side PAOK will take on Turkish giants Besiktas in the one-legged UEFA Champions League 2nd Qualifying Round clash this Tuesday at the Toumba Stadium. Going to the match, PAOK will be hoping to start well and go all the way to the Champions League group stages for the first time ever. Meanwhile, Besiktas will be looking to make a first appearance in the group stages for the first time since the 2017/18 season. PAOK finished second in last season’s Greek Super League, while Besiktas managed a third placed finish in the Turkish Super Lig. It is over a month since PAOK last played competitively; their league ended in mid July and they have played two friendly matches thereafter. PAOK are unbeaten in their last five matches but of these, they have managed just one win, though they have four straight clean sheets. They have failed to score in three of the five matches and they will be looking to better this, given they will be playing at home. Despite enjoying home comforts, PAOK will need to improve massively as they have no win, and goal, in their last three matches at home and with only two clean sheets in seven. In the Champions League, PAOK have not been doing well; their best spell was a while back, in 2018, when they won three back to back matches but as they head to this, they are winless in five. They also have no clean sheet in their last four Champions League matches, and have conceded two or more in the last three. It is also never easier at home for PAOK in the competition; they have five losses and two wins in nine home matches in the Champions League.

Besiktas are more experienced in this competition but most importantly, they carry a better form ahead of this clash, with four straight wins, these having come in the Super Lig. In the last seven matches Besiktas have played, they have managed six wins, and lost once, while scoring two or more goals in five of the seven games. The Turkish side has also been on top defensively in their last three matches, keeping straight clean sheets and will hope to carry the form to this clash. Away from home, Besiktas are undefeated in five of their last six matches, winning four and keeping three clean sheets and have scored in five of the six.