After back-to-back defeats to Celta Vigo this season, PAOK travel to Spain seeking redemption against their opponents.
With just a single point separating the teams in the standings and both sides jostling for Europa League progression, this encounter at Estadio de Balaídos on 26 February promises high stakes and tactical intrigue. Kick-off is set for 20:00, and fans can expect a tightly fought battle between attack-minded PAOK and a Celta outfit that’s shown efficiency in recent head-to-head clashes.
Best Bets & Predictions
Based on PAOK’s strong attacking stats and Celta’s clinical edge in previous meetings, here are our top betting recommendations. We’re particularly confident in Celta Vigo to win again, given their recent dominance and PAOK’s defensive frailties in this matchup.
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celta de Vigo to Win | 4/5 @ Bet365 (55.6%) |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Celta have won both previous meetings this season (3-1 and 2-1). Their sharper shot accuracy (42.2%) and better pass completion (85.5%) have given them a crucial edge in this fixture. PAOK’s defensive record against Celta is poor, conceding five across those two games. |
| Giakoumakis Anytime Scorer | 10/3 @ Betfred (23.1%) |
⭐⭐⭐ | Giakoumakis leads PAOK with five goals and has scored in five separate matches, showing consistency even in losing efforts. He remains their most reliable attacking outlet and is likely to get chances against a Celta defence with just one clean sheet this season. |
Odds correct at the time of writing.
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Season Form & Standings
There wasn’t much to separate these two sides in the group stage, with Celta Vigo finishing just one place, and one point, above their Greek rivals. The first leg of this tie ended 2-1 to Celta Vigo and they will hope that edge is enough to propel them to the next round.
| Team | Pos | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celta de Vigo | 16 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 15 | 11 | 4 | 13 |
| PAOK | 17 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 17 | 14 | 3 | 12 |
Potential Match-Winners
- Georgios Giakoumakis (PAOK): Top scorer with 5 goals, has found the net in five separate matches and averages over 1.5 shots on target per game. His movement and finishing make him a constant threat.
- Andrija Zivkovic (PAOK): Three goals and 2.04 expected assists – he’s both a creator and a scorer, with the ability to unlock Celta’s defence through vision and dribbling.
- Jonjoe Kenny (PAOK): 2.23 expected assists as a defender, exceptional for his position and indicative of overlapping runs and high crossing volume.
- Iago Aspas (Celta de Vigo): Veteran forward capable of game-changing moments, likely to feature centrally in Celta’s attack and especially dangerous on the counter.
Head-to-Head: Last 2 Meetings
Celta de Vigo have a clear upper hand in recent history, having won both encounters against PAOK this season, scoring five and conceding just two.
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 19/02/26 | PAOK 1-2 Celta de Vigo | Europe |
| 02/10/25 | Celta de Vigo 3-1 PAOK | Europe |
Conclusion: Can PAOK Break the Celta Hold?
Despite PAOK’s superior season-long attacking metrics and clean sheets, Celta de Vigo’s clinical finishing and excellent head-to-head record give them a psychological and tactical advantage in this tie. Will PAOK finally find a way past a Celta side that has had their number? The data points to another close contest, but Celta’s recent supremacy is hard to ignore. Our top tip: 4/5 @ Bet365 (55.6% implied) for another Celta win looks the value play if current trends hold.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
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